As Nigerian joins the world to commemorate the 2023 International Day of the Girl-Child, the Chief Executive Office and Founder, Health Aid for All Initiative (HAFAI) Dr. Ugochi Ohajuruka has task the federal government to start implementing, prosecuting and convicting anyone violating the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) act 2015.
It would be recall that VAPP was enacted in 2013 and passed by the House of Representatives (Nigeria) on May 14, 2015 and finally passed by the Senate of Nigeria May 14, 2015, the VAPP act aim eliminating violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons and to provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders; and for related matters.
Meanwhile, Dr.Ohajuruka while speaking in Abuja over the weekend explained that it is time government implement laws, follow through the policies and let people know that wrong is wrong and right is right.
“We want to see perpetrators going to jail because they cut their daughters for nothing that they know nothing about.”
Dr.Ohajuruka revealed that lack of menstrual solutions is part of why girls don’t stay in school or even engage in class and sport activities, hence HAFAI gives sanitary supplies to these girls, while advocating against harmful barbaric activities.
“We say the law has been passed and these practices have to be abandoned and we are happy that our organization is making lots of milestone in these regards.”
She however advised parents to be hands on and be more open and accessible to their children so that they will be able to confide in them when they are faced with challenges.
“Charity begins at home, the foundation of anybody’s life starts from the home that is why when we run community engagement program we discuss with religious and traditional leaders who are parents and parents of the girls as well that they should be more involved in the lives of their girls.”
One of the girls, Adamu Hauwa on her part charged the government to
create more organizations like Global Glow and HAFIA in empowering and mentoring girls, teaching them to build self-esteem and leadership skills.
Hauwa added that government should provide scholarship opportunities for girls because many of them lack access to basic education.
The theme of the 2023 International Day of the Girl-Child is ‘Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, the 2023 event aims to unite adolescent girls with advocates for their rights, including UN leaders, NGOs, businesses, and governments.
HAFAI promotes the rights of girls/women to education and safe reproductive healthcare choices using a holistic approach to behavioral change; and sustainable menstrual hygiene management solutions.
HAFAI works to reduce maternal and infant mortality through disease control, immunization against common childhood diseases and population management.
