Press Release on the Commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child 2017

Press Release on the Commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child

CEHRD joins the rest of the world and Civil Society Organizations to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child. The theme for this year is: “The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030.” According to UN Women, there are 1.1 billion girls globally. Even with such a huge number, adolescent girls continue to suffer various forms of inequalities ranging from those faced while attaining secondary education, at home and even a total disappearance when it comes to international agenda. It is thus pertinent that the girl child should be a target for strategic investment to ensure that she is protected and her dreams are not cut short.

In response to this call, we have over the years established 30 peace clubs across River State for young persons; especially adolescent girls, to reduce violence against them. We are part of the observatory steering committee of Rivers State saddled with the responsibility of collating and reporting incidences of violence against women and children. CEHRD is currently the coordinating secretariat convening the Child Protection Network (CPN) of Nigeria in Rivers State. This is in line with the slogan: ‘Children are the future – Protect them’’.

The adolescent girl we see today has many untapped potentials in her that could contribute greatly to the growth of our Nation. In a recent discussion during Violence against women and children workshop organized by Partners Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND) on 12, July 2017, the Gender Officer of CEHRD, Mrs. Eucharia spoke extensively on the need to promote the rights of the girl child. She noted that ‘the girl child needed to be adequately protected in this trying times when cases of child abuse are on the increase’. 

CEHRD uses this medium to remember the adolescent girl Chikamso Victory whose life was forcefully snatched by her alleged ritualist and rapist relative, Ifeanyi Dike on August 20, 2017. CEHRD hereby calls on the Rivers State Judiciary to ensure the quick trial/sentence of the culprit if found guilty, to serve as a deterrent to others who might be thinking in a similar direction.

CEHRD is a human rights organization based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. It has its mission to protect the rights of citizens and teach them how to non-violently address the issues affecting them. 

For pictures and further information about this issue kindly visit our website at www.cehrd.org.ng. Contacts: +234-8038655487; Email: info@cehrd.org.ng or ukuranta2006@yahoo.com (Gender Officer)