The wife of the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Mrs. Uzoamaka Nwifuru, has reaffirmed her commitment to protecting the rights, dignity and future of the girl child, calling on stakeholders to unite against child marriage, gender-based violence and other harmful practices.
Nwifuru made the call in a message marking the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, stressing that every girl deserves access to education, healthcare, personal development and opportunities to fulfil her potential.
She described child marriage as a harmful practice that deprives girls of their childhood, education, health and opportunities to achieve their dreams.
According to her, every girl child should have the opportunity to grow in a safe environment, make informed choices and pursue her aspirations without fear or discrimination.
Highlighting efforts to promote the welfare and empowerment of girls through the BERWO Foundation, the governor’s wife outlined several initiatives aimed at advancing girls’ rights and improving their well-being across Ebonyi State.
She recalled that in 2025, the foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), organised a boot camp that empowered 80 adolescent girls drawn from the 13 local government areas of the state.
She also highlighted the 2026 Pad a Girl Campaign, which targets 10,000 schoolgirls for the distribution of sanitary pads and educational materials, as well as the distribution of more than 10,000 copies of the Teenage Companion book to secondary school students.
Nwifuru explained that the initiatives were designed to promote girls’ education, menstrual health, personal development and protection from harmful practices.
She urged parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, policymakers and other community stakeholders to work collectively towards ending child marriage and gender-based violence while ensuring that girls remain in school and have access to opportunities that support their growth and development.
“As a mother and advocate for women and children, I firmly believe that when we invest in girls, we invest in a brighter future for our families, communities and nation,” she stated.
She called for sustained efforts to build an Ebonyi State where every girl is protected, educated and empowered to realise her full potential.
Nwifuru added that collective action was necessary to safeguard the rights of the girl child and create an environment in which every girl could pursue her dreams without discrimination or abuse.
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on October 11 to promote the rights of girls and draw attention to the challenges they face around the world.
