In line with this year’s theme of the International Day of the Girl Child, “My Voice Our Equal Future” Abuja based Non-Governmental Organisation, Helpline Foundation for the Needy, has concluded plans to launch a book titled; “My COVID-19 Story – Voice of Hope and Resilience”.
Also, members of the Helpline Voice of the Girls Parliament, Paid advocacy visits to major stakeholders saddled with the responsibility to shape the future of girls in Nigeria.
Addressing a world press conference as part of activities to celebrate this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, President of Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, said the book would be officially unveiled on Monday.
She noted that due to the high reports of child rights abuse recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown, the foundation has tasked girls to write down their experiences, challenges, and aspirations, stressing that these stories have been compiled into a book, which would be launched on Monday.
“The International Day of the Girl Child is here. We have looked forward with excitement to this day, as Helpline Foundation Launches one of the most important books this year, “My Covid-19 Story – Voice of Hope and Resilience”.
“I asked girls to write down their experiences, challenges, and aspirations, these stories have been compiled into a book, which will be launched. Everyone can get a copy and read to really know what goes on in the minds of girls,” she said.
Similarly, members of the Helpline Voice of the Girls Parliament paid advocacy visits to FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, and Hon. Taiwo Oluga, the Chairman of the Women in Parliament Committee of the Federal House of Representatives respectively.
While receiving the Helpine parliamentarians, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, appreciated the girls and promised to continue to support every project that would improve the lives and education of girls in the territory.
The minister noted that the Social Development Secretariat of the FCT under her purview was working assiduously towards the protection, education of the girl child and skills acquisition.
On her part, Hon. Taiwo Oluga, Chairman, Women in Parliament Committee of the Federal House of Representatives also appreciated the girls and promised to support them in every way she could.
Oluga also noted that the House of Representatives under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, was more committed than ever to making policies that would improve the lives of the girl child, adding that the speaker has been having discussions with the leadership of every state assembly in Nigeria to ensure they domesticate the Child Rights Act.
She revealed that the speaker ensured that all-female representatives are part of the constitution amendment committee, noting that this was a strategic decision that would increase the votes in favour of amending sections of the constitution that had to do with women and girls.
Oluga also informed members of the Voice of the Girls Parliament that despite the low number of female National Assembly members, they are working very hard to ensure more gender-friendly bills are passed.
The highpoint of the advocacy visits was the presentation of advocacy poems to each stakeholder during their visits.
Source – https://globaltimesnigeria.com/2020/10/11/helpline-launches-book-to-celebrate-girl-child-day/
