Our girl Child, Our Pride: SWS President Celebrates International Day Of The GIRL Child »

The Standup For Women Society has described the girl child as a blessing to every home.

The International President of the association, Barrister Deborah Ijadele-Adetona who passionately advocates for the girl child, calls for a strong stance against the practice of marrying off underage girls.

She called on the National Assembly to enforce strict measures to discourage such practices within communities.

“It is heartbreaking to witness the marriage of a 13-year-old girl child in the name of preventing waywardness. This belief, practiced in some Nigerian states under the guise of culture, is deeply flawed and an aberration. It is unhealthy and has led to an increase in the number of young girls suffering from issues like infertility, HIV, high mortality rates, and other ailments related to early marriage,” SWS vehemently opposes this practice.

In a Press Statement made available to journalists by the association’s Public Relations Officer, Liberator Billie Nwogu, the SWS International President, therefore, implores the National Assembly to use their legislative powers to curb this disguised abuse.”

The SWS International President emphasized that a girl child should have equal opportunities as boys, including access to quality education, healthcare, freedom of expression, and the chance to assume leadership roles.

“According to the United Nations, girls deserve and have a right to a safe-educated, and healthy life not just during their formative years but also as they grow into young women. And as the International President of SWS, I wholeheartedly support this notion and urge women worldwide to join our struggle to liberate girls globally,” she added.

“If effectively supported during their adolescent years, girls have the potential to change the world – both as empowered individuals of today and as tomorrow’s workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household leaders, and political figures.”

Standup For Women Society (SWS) is an organization dedicated to safeguarding women’s rights, ensuring equal access to quality education and healthcare, promoting good governance, and advocating for increased female participation in politics and various political roles, including appointments at the federal, state, and local government levels.

It is a CAC-registered association with offices and members in all 36 States, including the FCT.

They also operate in over 6 African countries, as well as the US and the UK.

SWS stands for a better society.