http://www.newsportng.com.ng As part of its activities to mark the 2022 International Day of the Girl Child, the Ministry of Health, Kaduna state in collaboration with Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria, (ANRIN) has lamented the relegation of women to the background of various institutions.
The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Health, Kaduna State, Dr. Amina Mohammed-Baloni, expressed the dis-satisfaction, during a press conference in Kaduna, said the girl child is confronted with series of challenges both in the past and in contemporary society.
Dr. Amina noted that the female counterparts are deprived of better lives and social well being, despite the fact that they are the hope of the world and comprises 50% of the world’s population.
“Some of the key development challenges facing the girl-child especially in our environment today
include, “discrimination in access to education, food and nutrition, being used as burden bearers for household chores and farm work, early marriage, which interferes with their education or acquisition of skills needed for survival, sexual abuse and other forms of gender-based violence.
“Each one of these challenges is a terrible menace on its own with the potential of bringing down a
society in all its ramifications. These challenges occur as a result of cultural, religious, political and
social belief systems in our society.
Consequently, we must do all we can to curb them.” She said.
She urged that the girl child be given proper care, attention and the nutritional diets needed for their proper growth so as to arrest any form of disorder as they grow to adulthood.
“Under-nutrition negatively affects adolescent girls by affecting their ability to learn and work at maximum productivity; increasing their risk of poor obstetric outcomes; healthy development and future children; sexual maturation and grow, among others.” She added
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the event, Head of Communication, ANRIN Hajiya Mairo Tahir, said the importance of the girl Child in the home cannot be overemphasized.
She lamented that female children are sidelined and discriminated from birth despite their potentials, solicited that female children be given every necessary assistance needed to explore, live and pursue their dreams to full expression.
She said ANRIN in partnership with Kaduna state government will continue to enhance quality nutrition in the state, adding that the NGO have been able to reduce high rate of malnutrition cases in various Local Government Areas through provision of supplements and foods for children that are malnourished.
She commended Governor Nasir El-rufai for his prompt responses and commitment towards ensuring that the organization thrive in Kaduna state, While calling on citizens to take up the available opportunities in ANRIN and use it optimally for their common good.
Ministry of health Kadun state
