By Mabel Adinya Ade
The International Day of the Girl Child presents an opportunity to reflect on the state of girls in Nigeria, a country where numerous barriers continue to undermine the potential of the girl child. Despite progress in some areas, access to education, menstrual health, protection from gender-based violence, and safe environments remain significant challenges for millions of Nigerian girls. As a result, the Nigerian girl child finds herself caught in a complex web of cultural, social, and economic barriers, depriving her of the opportunity to thrive.
The Crisis of Education
Access to education remains one of the greatest challenges facing the Nigerian girl child. According to UNICEF, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children globally, with girls bearing the brunt of this crisis. Insecurity, insurgency, displacement, and resource scarcity often force families to prioritize which child to send to school, and more often than not, boys are chosen. The widespread displacement due to Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, and communal violence has left millions of children out of school. This is particularly true in northern Nigeria, where traditional beliefs sometimes limit the value placed on educating girls.
The cost of schooling also weighs heavily on families with scarce resources, leading to the early marriage of girls to relieve financial burdens. Compounding this, the lack of safe schools in conflict-affected areas puts girls at further risk, both physically and emotionally. Even where schools are available, poor menstrual health management infrastructure, including a lack of sanitary products and hygiene facilities, results in absenteeism, as girls skip school to avoid shame during their menstrual cycle. This issue perpetuates the cycle of poverty and disempowerment that prevents girls from achieving their full potential.
The Menstrual Health Crisis
Menstrual health is a critical yet overlooked challenge facing the Nigerian girl child. Millions of girls lack access to sanitary products and hygiene infrastructure, forcing them to use makeshift items that often lead to infections. Inadequate menstrual education, cultural stigmatization, and lack of privacy further exacerbate this issue. Many girls are embarrassed to attend school during their periods, leading to frequent absenteeism and, in some cases, complete withdrawal from education.
Without access to menstrual products, many girls fall behind in their studies, limiting their future prospects. This menstrual-related absenteeism also underscores broader gender inequalities in access to education, further entrenching the marginalization of girls in Nigeria.
The Threat of Gender-Based Violence
The Nigerian girl child is increasingly vulnerable to sexual gender-based violence (SGBV), which remains a pervasive and growing issue in the country. Conflict and displacement have made girls easy targets for traffickers, ritualists, and sexual predators. In some areas, “Yahoo boys” are implicated in butchering girls for ritual purposes, while organ harvesters’ prey on vulnerable girls for their body parts.
Underage pregnancy is another symptom of the widespread gender-based violence, particularly in conflict-affected areas. Many girls, often victims of rape, are left to raise children without access to resources, further compounding their vulnerability. The stigma attached to underage pregnancy prevents them from returning to school or participating in community life, perpetuating a cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and disempowerment.
Some Cases that Show the Nigerian Girl Child is an Endangered Specie
Alhaji Dogo’s Case (2019): This case involved a group of young men who lured a woman to a location under the pretense of helping her with a job. They killed her for ritual purposes, claiming it was to enhance their internet fraud activities. The perpetrators were arrested and faced prosecution.
The Case of Jennifer (2020): In this incident, a young woman was reportedly killed by her friend who was involved in internet fraud. The friend believed that sacrificing her would improve his chances of success in his scams. The case drew significant media attention and highlighted the disturbing trend of using human sacrifice for financial gain.
Chinelo’s Murder (2021): A young lady was murdered in a similar context, where fraudsters believed that using her for rituals would boost their luck in scamming activities. The case led to public outrage and calls for stricter laws against ritual killings.
Ifeoma’s Case (2022): A young student was lured under false pretenses by men involved in internet fraud. They killed her for ritualistic purposes, and the incident sparked widespread condemnation and discussions about the growing influence of ritualistic practices among youth.
Ijeoma’s Murder (2019): Ijeoma, a 22-year-old woman, was reportedly killed by her boyfriend, who was involved in internet fraud. He believed that sacrificing her would enhance his financial success. The case highlighted the dangers young women face in relationships with those engaged in fraudulent activities.
The Case of Happiness (2021): Happiness, a young woman, was abducted and later found murdered. Her death was linked to a group of fraudsters who were seeking rituals to improve their fortunes. The investigation revealed a network of individuals involved in similar crimes.
Ugochi’s Abduction and Murder (2022): Ugochi was kidnapped by men posing as job recruiters. They murdered her for ritual purposes, believing it would increase their chances in online scams. The incident led to protests against ritual killings and calls for stricter penalties.
Nneoma’s Case (2023): A university student named Nneoma was lured to a secluded location by a group of men involved in cybercrime. They killed her for ritual purposes, sparking outrage and highlighting the vulnerability of students.
The Killing of Yetunde (2023): Yetunde was killed by a gang who believed that using her for rituals would boost their online scamming activities. The police apprehended the suspects, and the case drew attention to the need for better protections for young women.
Chidera’s Case (2020): Chidera, a young woman, was killed by a group of men who believed that sacrificing her would enhance their internet scam operations. The gruesome nature of her death led to widespread outrage and condemnation.
Kemi’s Murder (2021): Kemi was reportedly lured to a meeting under the pretense of a job opportunity. After being abducted, she was murdered for ritualistic purposes by individuals involved in internet fraud. The case brought attention to the deceptive tactics used by perpetrators.
The Killing of Peace (2022): Peace was targeted by a gang of fraudsters who sought to use her for rituals. She was kidnapped and later found dead. This incident sparked protests and discussions about the dangers young women face from those involved in cybercrime.
Temitope’s Abduction (2022): Temitope was kidnapped by a group of men who were part of a ritual killing ring. They believed that her death would grant them success in their fraudulent activities. The case led to calls for stronger law enforcement actions against such crimes.
Adaobi’s Incident (2023): Adaobi, a university student, was murdered by individuals she trusted. They killed her for ritual purposes, thinking it would improve their luck in online scams. The incident highlighted the risks young women face in trusting relationships.
Charting a Way Forward: Strategic Actions for Change
To address the multifaceted challenges facing the Nigerian girl child, strategic interventions must be holistic, encompassing education, health, protection, and socio-economic empowerment. Parents, society, and the government must work together to unlock the full potential of girls.
1. Prioritize Girl Child Education: The government must strengthen policies that mandate free and compulsory education for all girls, with specific attention to conflict-affected and rural areas. Parents should be sensitized on the long-term benefits of educating girls, which not only transforms their lives but also contributes to family and national development. This will require more investment in building safe schools, providing scholarships, and offering incentives to families to keep their daughters in school.
2. Invest in Menstrual Health Management: Comprehensive policies and programs addressing menstrual health are crucial. The government, in partnership with NGOs and private sectors, should make sanitary products available in schools and communities, especially in rural areas. Schools must be equipped with hygiene facilities and girls should receive menstrual health education to reduce absenteeism. Menstrual health education must also be integrated into school curricula to destigmatize the natural biological process.
3. Strengthen Legal Protections and Enforcement: There is a need for stronger enforcement of laws against sexual violence, trafficking, and ritual killings. The government must ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted and that girls receive the necessary psychosocial and medical support to recover from trauma. Establishing specialized police units trained in handling cases of gender-based violence can provide the necessary protection and recourse for victims.
4. Create Safe Spaces for Girls: Society and communities should create safe spaces where girls can seek guidance, report abuse, and build life skills. These spaces, both in schools and communities, can offer mentoring and vocational training, fostering girls’ confidence and resilience. Traditional and religious leaders should be actively engaged in breaking down harmful practices and advocating for the protection and empowerment of girls.
5. Economic Empowerment Programmes: To reduce early marriage and improve girls’ autonomy, economic empowerment programmes targeting families, particularly in rural areas, must be established. Training programsme that provide families with skills to increase income will reduce the economic incentives for child marriage, allowing girls to continue their education.
6. Sexual and Reproductive Health Education: The government, in collaboration with health institutions, must expand access to reproductive health services and education, particularly in conflict-affected areas. This includes access to family planning, prenatal care, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The integration of reproductive health education into school curricula can equip girls with the knowledge to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
7. Political and Economic Empowerment of Girls: More investments should be made in leadership training programmes for girls to prepare them for future roles in political and economic spheres. This could be through mentorship programsme, targeted scholarships, and initiatives that expose girls to governance, entrepreneurship, and leadership at a young age.
Policy Recommendations
National Girl Child Development Policy: A national policy focusing on education, health, and economic empowerment for girls should be developed and implemented with clear metrics and targets. This policy should also address regional disparities and include strategies to ensure the protection of girls in conflict zones.
Institutionalizing Gender-Responsive Budgeting: Governments at Federal, State, and Local levels should adopt gender-responsive budgeting that ensures funding is allocated to programmes benefiting the girl child, including education, healthcare, and protection services.
Partnerships for Development: The private sector, NGOs, and development partners should collaborate with the government to design and implement programmes that support the holistic development of girls. Public-private partnerships can expand access to technology, training, and entrepreneurship opportunities for girls.
Conclusion
The future of the Nigerian girl child hinges on deliberate, sustained, and strategic efforts to dismantle the barriers that limit her potential. Parents, communities, the government, and civil society must act with urgency to create an environment that nurtures and protects girls. By investing in their education, health, safety, and leadership, we can unlock the transformative power of girls to build a more equitable and prosperous Nigeria.
Mabel Adinya Ade is E.D. Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF), mabeladetar@gmail.com
