08 March 2022; Abuja/Nigeria: As the world commemorates International Women’s Day, Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria calls upon the national, state and local governments to empower tomorrow’s women by promoting and protecting their rights to quality education, healthy start in life and end all forms of gender-based violence against girls and women in a bid to #BreakTheBias.

Save the Children International Nigeria welcomes the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, "gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow," as a matter of its critical relevance in recognizing the contribution of women and girls around the world, who are exerting exemplary effort in response to climate change, building resilient communities and a more sustainable future for all children, girls, men and women.

One of the huge threats to “sustainable tomorrow” is climate change. Climate change is a threat to the rights of children, girls, women and particularly those living with disabilities. They are the first and worst affected by the impact of climate change whether by climate-related natural disasters or the impact of climate change on food production, access to water, livelihoods and basic social services.

Mercy Gichuhi, Country Director, Save the Children International Nigeria said, “Protecting the environment is about preserving the planet earth for children, girls and women, to have a livable environment, “sustainable tomorrow” and a brighter future. It is about peace, survival, social and economic justice and sustainable development.”

I would like to urge all responsible actors, including the government, private sectors, CSOs, FBOs, CBOs and communities to double and intensify efforts to achieving the global targets of strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters; integrating climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning; and improving education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning systems, which can save the lives of many children, girls and women who are the most affected by the climate crisis”, Mercy Gichuhi said.

Purity Oriaifo, Save the Children International Nigeria’s Girl Championsaid, “in our communities today, girls continue to suffer from gender inequality. In conflict, displacement and disaster situations, girls are being abducted, raped, and forced into marriage. The issues with girls extend beyond child marriage, female genital mutilation, as it affects the girls’ entire life. Millions of girls were not privileged to enjoy their childhood but subjected to take responsibilities they were not prepared for. That is why women, girls and I will continue to advocate, raise awareness and fight for a gender equal Nigeria.”

Amanuel Mamo, Director of Advocacy and Campaign, Save the Children International Nigeria said, “through our campaign, called, Girls’ Education Campaign, we are aiming to empower Nigerian girls and women to have “sustainable tomorrow”, become resilient, learn, have livelihood opportunities and make an informed decision on issues that affect them, including early, child and forced marriage. Today’s girls are tomorrow’s women. We can make a difference in the lives of tomorrow’s women based on how we invest on and treat girls, today. The future is now.”

Save the Children International Nigeria calls upon families, communities, local, state and national governments to join hands in making the society free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination against girls and women – but respect and celebrate their potential and contributions in creating “sustainable tomorrow” for all of us.

Save the Children will continue to campaign and advocate with, and for the rights of the most marginalized children in Nigeria to ensure that no girl child is left behind or excluded from the opportunity to access quality, safe, free, uninterrupted and inclusive education, health, nutrition and other social services in a bid to achieve the sustainable development goals.

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NOTES TO EDITOR  

Save the Children is a leading child rights organization headquartered in the UK with offices in over 120 countries around the world. In Nigeria and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life and the opportunity to learn. Through our “Girls’ Education Campaign” we are aiming to enable girls to become resilient, have economic opportunities, and ensuring that children are not discriminated based on gender, disability or other structural barriers – with an ultimate goal of shifting power to the children, girls, women and communities.

For further information and interview requests, please contact:  

Kunle Olawoyin, Media and Communication Manager

Save the Children International Nigeria, at Kunle.Olawoyin@savethechildren.org Telephone: +234 802 368 4903