The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development, CentreLSD, with the support of Malala Fund organized a 1-day Sub-National summit on Girl Child Education and Premiere of the C-CAGE documentary with the theme “Girl Child Education; A Veritable Tool for Development”. The summit which climaxes the implementation of the C-CAGE project and organized to reinforce the necessity of training the girlchild and conscientize stakeholders on the need to join in the advocacy efforts to advancing girlchild education, had one keynote address, a presentation and a panel session based on the theme.
As contained in a communique signed by Mr. Monday Osasah the Executive Director, Centre LSD, among other affiliates, that’s some High level government officials, Traditional Leaders from Numan, Song and Maiha, members of the academia, education administrators, Facilitators of the Centre LSD/Malala safe spaces, Education committee members, students, Civil Society Organization and the media, it was observed that the Girl Child Education Makes Women better members of Society: Contrary to the insinuations that women that are educated are very difficult to control in society, increased education for girl child makes women better members of society. It makes them better daughters, responsible mothers and wives and makes the household less prone to poverty.
Girl child education as a measurement of Development: Education is a major bedrock for the development of any nation; therefore, girl child education must be prioritized to ensure the development of the society.
It was observed that no matter how developed the society is, once girl child education is not prioritized, then such society is bound to be backward and suffer under development. This is so because female folk are important aspect of demography of any country, and as such their development cannot be ignored.
Girl child education is critical to achieving the sustainable development goals: Girl child education has a direct correlation to the 17 items of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Therefore, a high rate of educated female population will ultimately lead achievement of the SDGs and vice versa. This gives credence to the sustainability of the campaign for girl child education.
There is still a wide gender gap in education that must be addressed: Whereas the national gender demography is almost 50-50, the gender gap in education is still very wide.
Girl Child Education should not just be about enrolment but should also extend to encouraging them to put in their best while in school:
This is the only way the campaign can be very impactful, and they can easily get assistance through scholarship programmes to further their education to any level of study.
Recommendations
In the light of the above, the following were identified as what should be done to further reinforce the campaign for girl child education in focal areas.
Statement of commitment from relevant stakeholders: Major stakeholders that participated in the summit affirmed to continue from where Centre LSD stopped. Commitments to mobilize for girl child education and where possible push and sponsorship of bills at the State House of Assembly.
The need for intensify awareness creation on girlchild education by relevant stakeholder were also emphasized.
Stakeholders should brace up and collaborate for improved campaign and advocacy for girlchild education.
Participants also resolved that Girl child education should be understood and viewed by government as an empowerment programme given the low level of girl child education in Adamawa State and the increasing roles women play in the household and societal development.
There is a need to develop the interest of girl child in education early in life; this is so because when the interest is stimulated early, sustenance of it will be easy and none of them will be left behind.
It was also recommended that girl child enrollee should be encouraged to put in their best in their studies to come out with good results and close the gender gap.
Conclusion
The one-day summit was a celebration of success and improvement in the education of the girlchild in Adamawa State, particularly in Numan, Song and Maiha Local Government Areas.
The commitments by relevant stakeholders to continue from where Centre LSD stopped shows that they were quite delighted with the improvement and successes Centre LSD and Malala Fund brought to changing the narrative of girlchild education in Adamawa state – enrolment of 1451 out of schoolgirls back to school. The summit also appreciated stakeholders who committed to championing the campaign across their local communities and state, and the Adamawa State government for providing the enabling environment for the seamless implementation of the project.