Press Statement
The African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) Nigeria Abuja Branch, joins voices across the globe in commemorating the International Day of the Girl Child, held annually on October 11.
This year’s theme, “INVEST IN GIRLS’ RIGHTS’ Our Leadership, Our Well-being”, reinforces the urgent need to EMPOWER, and continue to protect the girl child through laws, policies, and deliberate action.
At AWLA Abuja, we recognize the immense potential of every girl and reaffirm our commitment to promoting and defending their rights, particularly their right to education, safety, health, and full participation in society.
Despite constitutional protections and international conventions ratified by Nigeria, millions of girls still face significant challenges including child marriage, sexual and gender-based violence, school dropouts, trafficking, and limited access to justice. These systemic barriers continue to rob our girls of their dignity, security, and future.
As a group of women professionals in legal practice and advocates for justice and equality, AWLA Abuja calls for:
Full implementation and enforcement of child protection laws at federal and state levels, including the Child Rights Act and Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.
Increased investment in girls’ education and healthcare, especially in underserved and conflict-affected communities.
Strengthening of legal aid and justice mechanisms to ensure girls have access to redress, protection, and support.
End to harmful traditional practices, including early marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and other forms of gender-based violence.
Promotion of girls’ leadership and participation in civic, legal, and political spaces.
We believe that an empowered girl child today is a powerful woman tomorrow ; a builder of peaceful, just, and prosperous societies.
AWLA Abuja pledges to continue using the law as a tool for social transformation and remains steadfast in our mission to protect, educate, and empower every girl child.
Let us all take action. Invest in the girl child. Secure her rights. Safeguard her future.
Signed,
Rukaiya Cynthia Emmanuel
, Esq, LLM
Coordinator: African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), Nigeria
Abuja Branch
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