Wife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, says the State Government has resolved to support and address issues affecting women in the state with special concentration to young girls. She spoke Wednesday at the opening ceremony of a six-day national advocacy camp of the Nigerian Girl Guides Association at Ogbunike, Anambra State.

Mrs. Obiano said it is the government’s vision to develop young girls and women to reach their full potentials as responsible citizens.

According to her, the state government has resolved to combat cases of forced child marriage, prostitution, sexual exploitation, female genital mutilation, trafficking, sexual harassment and forced abortions among young girls and women.

Her words: “I have built 20 homes for widows, trained and empowered over 5,000 youths, rehabilitated many mentally deranged persons and provided artificial limbs to physically challenged persons in the past four years.”

Mrs.Obiano commended the association for raising its voice in the fight and protection of women and young girls against violence and abuses.

The Anambra Governor’s wife, who was represented at the occasion by the State Commissioner for Local Artwork, Tourism and Diaspora, Ms. Sally Mbanefo, urged parents to imbibe in their children the attitude of discipline, love, humility accountability and hard work.

“Teach them to take responsibility for their actions and to have trust, hope and faith in God,” she added.

In her speech, the Chief Commissioner of the Association, Mrs. Stella Sule, urged governments at all levels to offer more opportunities, programmes, sponsorships and positions to the girl child and women in the country.

She said such privileges would not only instill confidence and more dignity in the girl-child and women to resist oppression and violence as well as help them build great career, family and businesses.

While noting that the potentials of the girls and women would be developed in the process in order to add valuable contributions to the society, she said they will also be equipped to accept themselves and appreciate their gifts and abilities.

She explained that the national advocacy camp was put in place to handle issues such as body confidence and self-esteem, gender-based violence, advocacy campaigns, entrepreneurship and leadership development, among other crucial topics.

Sule hailed Mrs. Obiano for her commitment, generosity and support to the association and the development of the girl-child in the state.

On his part, the traditional ruler of Ogbunike community, Igwe John Umenyiora, said that girl-child education was important because of the roles in the family and the nation at large.

He called on other organisations to join in the empowerment and education of the girl child, materially, morally, materially and financially, morally and materially.

The theme for this year’s national advocacy camp was “Raising Confident Girls”.

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