A non-governmental organisation, Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has called for the protection of the rights of the girl-child in the country.
The organisation noted that as future leaders, the girls deserved a better future.
Country Program Director, AHF Echey Ijezie, said this during an interview in Abuja on the sideline of a one-day sensitisation programme to celebrate this year’s International Day of the Girl-Child.
Pupils from schools in the Federal Capital Territory participated in a programme targeted at sensitising them to sexual behaviour.
Stakeholders in the health and education sector, during the event, advocated for sexual education for young girls.
Ijezie said: “We are appealing to everybody for a concerted effort to educate everyone about the protection of our girls. The child must be protected because they are the future.
“Our girls deserve a better future. Every girl must be empowered. Every girl must know her rights.
“We must educate our young ones to avoid risky behaviour. Let us make efforts to teach our young girls about sexuality education and empower them to make them know their rights and be assertive.
“We also use this opportunity to call on our leaders and those in authority to help our girls.
“There are many girls all over the world who miss classes because they are having their periods.
“What we are teaching is that we want to empower our girls. Our girls are growing and the education we give them must be tailored to their age.”
Also speaking, a Deputy Director at the Universal Basic Education (UBE), Nsu Rabo urged teachers to be parents to the young girls.
He said, the young girls need care and love from their teachers.
“If the teachers are able to play parental role to the students, it will create an atmosphere of cooperation and easy access for sharing information”.
Speaking on penalty for teachers who violate young girls, Rabo said UBE has a disciplinary arm to curtail such bad behaviors from teachers.
He said the body frowns at such behavior, adding that the punishment could be expulsion or suspension.
On her part, Francisca Osibe, who represented the Federal Ministry of Health, said all hands must be on deck to help create a better future for young girls in the country.
She said both teachers and parents must create a peaceful ambiance to cater to young girls.