Rights of the girl child must be protected – Hon. Ali-Macaulay

The lawmaker representing Amuwo-Ofofin 1 in the Lagos State house of assembly and the chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Mojisola Ali-Macaulay has called for the protection of the rights of the girl child within the society.

Recall that the house, during a plenary session on Tuesday, moved a motion for the enactment of the child law and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child.

In an interview with newsmen, Hon. Macaulay explained her reasons for moving the motion. She stated that the motion was for girls across the world who are demanding recognition of their power, inclusiveness and sustainable pathways to political participation.

“The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) had set aside October 11, every year to celebrate the girl child and recognise her rights and the unique challenges she faces around the world.

“Girls all over the world have shown interest in politics, education, poverty-related issues, environment, climate change amongst others.

“The enactment of the Child Right Law and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law by the House of Assembly as part of its efforts to keep the girl child protected.”

Hon. Macaulay went on to address parental role in nurturing the girl child, she said before there can be an intervention from corporate bodies and non Governmental organizations in ensuring the protection of the right of the girl child, it has to first begin from home.

“Parents have to make sure their girls have adequate attention, love and free access to education. They must learn to protect the rights as a human being.

“It’s appalling that these girls are subjected to sex slavery, early marriages and objects of entertainment. A lot of girls have been subjected and abused even right under the nose of the parents to the extent that we have found some cases of incest. It is important that parents look after their girl child from the home front and ensure they are nurturing these girls in a way that their rights are protected.”

The lawmaker added that corporate bodies need to partner with Government agencies that are responsible for the policy formation that caters for the girl child to come up with policies that would emancipate and empower the girl child.