The Deputy Country Director of Action Aid in Nigeria, Mrs Ifeoma Monwuba, on? Thursday in Abuja condemned the low-level of girl-child education in Nigeria.
Monwuba made the condemnation at a news conference to mark the 2012 International Day of the Girl-Child.
She said that globally, 36 million school-age girls were not in school and that Nigeria accounted for over six million of the figure.
“Millions of girls’ rights are violated and all of these necessitated the UN to set aside this day as the International Day of the Girl-Child.
“The day is meant to promote girls' rights and highlight gender equalities that remain between girls and boys,” she said.
She explained that nearly all girls in developing countries became mothers before they were 18 years and that 50 per cent died annually during childbirth, making it the number one killer of girls between ages 15 and 19.
The deputy director said that the International Day of the Girl-Child gave people and organisations an opportunity to raise awareness of the different types of discrimination and abuse many girls around the world suffered.
Monwuba said that in developing countries, one girl out of seven would marry before they turned 15 years and 38 per cent would marry before they were 18 years.
She explained that 43 per cent of respondents in Nigerian primary and junior secondary school believed that early marriage was one obstacle that could stop them from achieving their desired level of education.
She said that on average, some girls received only six years of formal education in their lives and that a child born to a mother, who could read was 50 per cent more likely to survive beyond age five.
She said that improved education of girls alone was responsible for 43 per cent total reduction in under nutrition, across 63 countries between 1971 and 1995.
Monwuba said that when given equal access to resources and education, women reduced the number of hungry people worldwide by 16 per cent.
“Educated girls grow into educated women who, research shows have healthier babies and more likely to educate their children.''
According to her, the implications of these facts are diverse as they cover the areas of nutrition, life expectancy, income level, family relationship, hunger and nutrition.
She said they also covered the society and national income, circle of poverty, family health, societal vices and violence against girls.
“A study indicates that girls, who stay in school are four times less likely to be sexually active than those who dropped out, reducing the incidence of HIV drastically,'' she said.
Monwuba said that the organisation was advocating that all states in Nigeria should? pass and fully implement the Child’s Rights Act, pointing out that 12 states were yet to pass the act into law in Nigeria.
She also advised that “second chance education’’, be provided for girls and women who had missed the opportunity of getting educated at an early age, although they were married.
“Parents, extended family members, traditional and religious institutions and politicians, should encourage the full education of girls and discourage early marriage.''
NAN reports that the theme of the 2012 International Day of the Girl-Child is “Ending Child Marriage.''