Anthoina Soyingbe - Snr Reporter, Lagos.
• Hon. Orelope-Adefulire (middle)in a group photograph with Student/WAPA Ambassadors
The many ills of violence against women became the centre of discussion last Tuesday when Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), in collaboration with the Consular General of South Africa opened up window of opportunity for fifty young undergraduates to garner experience through the latter’s ‘Take a Girl- Child to Work’ project.
Take a Girl Child to Work Day is an annual corporate social investment event that holds in South Africa since 2003 in which companies involved organise for female learners often from disadvantaged backgrounds, to spend the day at their place of work.
Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Adejoke Orelope-Adefuliere in her speech at the gathering said women can never be over-celebrated as they constantly contribute to the development of every society.
“This initiative was adopted as part of WAPA’s activities and it was introduced in Lagos in year 2009. We bring girls to work so they will know what is happening in the corporate world. For us to promote women, we need to constantly condemn and promote zero tolerance on all forms of violence against woman.
“Women have to the right to work because empowering a woman is empowering the nation. As women let us train our children well because a child that is not well trained will tomorrow become a miscreant in the society,” she said; while calling on all to report any form of violence against woman to designated points.
Sharing her experience, a 400 level Biochemistry student of University of Lagos, Yetunde Areh said, “It is a privilege to be here. Knowledge is power and I will put the knowledge into place. I won’t just allow it to waste and see how I can fight violence against women in my own little place. It could just be telling a little girl that she has a right and this will strengthen the girl. Knowledge frees you from the possible consequences. I was posted to the office of Chief of Staff and I learnt the importance of team work because we all can’t stand alone. I will also imbibe this culture”, said Areh.
The goal of the Take a Girl Child to Work Day initiative is to deepen the thinking of the girl child with regard to their infinite roles in society, enhance her self-esteem, inspire and motivate her to reach her full potential and through exposure to diverse careers and positive role models assist her to prepare for the world of work.
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