A gender rights advocate, Chief Constance Meju, has called for collective and deliberate action to protect the girl child from abuse, discrimination, and systemic neglect in society.
In a statement on her social media handle to mark the International Day of the Girl Child, Chief Meju lamented that while public celebrations for the day had filled social media spaces with pictures and goodwill messages, there was little effort to address the deeper issues affecting the girl child in Nigeria.
“Born disadvantaged, thanks to a custom that places the male child above the female, life has continued to be a struggle for our girls, especially those from less privileged homes and rural areas,” Meju wrote. “Only a few are lucky to escape this secondary citizenship tag that reads—second choice for education, access to quality life, and opportunities.
She decried the persistent culture of exploitation, sexual abuse, and gender-based violence faced by girls, particularly those left vulnerable by poverty and weak family structures. According to her, despite the existence of numerous organizations working to combat gender-based violence, “things are getting worse.”
Citing recent reports, Meju expressed concern over the rising cases of rape involving very young girls between the ages of three and ten, often perpetrated by landlords and family members aged between 40 and 55 years.
“It is crazy and seriously worrisome that old men are taking advantage of mothers’ economic struggles to prey on innocent girls left at home,” she stated. “Rape destroys the joy of the abused and leaves scars that last a lifetime.”
Meju also condemned instances where law enforcement officers and judicial officials allegedly help rapists escape justice, describing such practices as “a betrayal of the nation’s conscience.”
She called for stricter enforcement of the Child Rights Act, including the imposition of life sentences for rapists as prescribed by law.
“We must do more than just snap pictures and celebrate,” she stressed. “Our focus should be on pulling down the strongholds that lock girls out of opportunities and deny justice for the oppressed.”
Chief Meju urged community leaders and policymakers to prioritize family welfare services that reduce the economic pressures exposing girls to danger.
“A protected girl child points to a healthy and secure future,” she concluded. “If the future wombs of this nation—our girls—are left open to violations and deprivation, the future of this country will be very unhealthy. Let all be aware.”
