The President, Mother of Good Conscience Initiatives (MOGCI), Lady Doris Onyeneke PhD,has raised concerns over the growing vulnerability of the girl-child to early sexual activity, poverty, cultism, kidnapping and other social vices, calling for concerted action to protect girls and promote their sexual and reproductive health rights.
Onyeneke stated this when the organisation visited the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Port Harcourt, today as part of preparations for a pre-summit dialogue on the theme, “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Sustainable Development: The Nexus.”
She said some cultural practices, poverty and inadequate parental control had contributed to the challenges confronting girls and young women in some communities, stressing that the situation required collective intervention by families, communities and relevant stakeholders.
The MOGCI leader expressed concern that some parents were unable to provide adequate training and supervision for their children, leaving young girls exposed to negative influences and circumstances capable of affecting their future.
According to her, poverty, early attempt of the girl child to carter for herself among others, remained a major factor driving some young girls into early sexual relationships, while negligence by parents and inadequate upbringing could further compound the situation.
She also identified peer-group influence as another major factor responsible for the early sexual drive among girls, stressing the need for parents and guardians to exercise greater control and provide proper guidance for their children.
"The challenges were not limited to sexual health, as vulnerable young people could also become exposed to cultism, kidnapping, theft and conflicts when deprived of adequate parental care, education and positive opportunities", she said.
Onyeneke called for stronger community-based interventions and partnerships among organisations working to protect women and children, saying MOGCI was seeking collaboration with the NUJ to deepen advocacy and public enlightenment.
She stressed the importance of responsible parenthood, including the need for families to consider the number of children they can adequately cater for, train and provide with the necessities of life.
She maintained that proper upbringing should begin from the home, noting that parents must be deliberate in monitoring their children, understanding their challenges and providing the emotional and moral support needed as they grow.
The MOGCI Lead Person further advocated sustained engagement with young people, saying that effective communication between parents and children could help prevent them from seeking guidance and acceptance from negative peer groups.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of the NUJ, Comrade Paul Bazia, thanked MOGCI for its consistency in advocacy for 15 years, noting that the organisation had remained committed to issues affecting women, children and vulnerable members of society.
Bazia said the task of advocacy had become more cumbersome with the emergence of social media, which had increased the speed at which information, including harmful content, was circulated, making it necessary for credible institutions to intensify public enlightenment.
He stressed the need for greater protection of the girl-child, assuring MOGCI of the NUJ’s willingness to explore areas of partnership that would promote informed public discourse and amplify campaigns aimed at addressing sexual and reproductive health challenges.
The stakeholders agreed that tackling poverty, parental negligence and harmful social influences, while strengthening proper upbringing, family planning, peer-group monitoring and collaboration among relevant organisations, would contribute significantly to protecting girls and advancing sustainable development in Rivers State.
E-sign
Ijeoma Tubosia Ph.D
Secretary of Council
