A Non-Governmental Organisation, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, has empowered over 200 girls with digital skills through its Adolescent Skills and Drills Programme, inaugurated in 2018.
Its Founder, Mrs Toyin Saraki, who made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in Lagos said that the skills are a requirement to function effectively in the society.
Saraki said that the foundation is commemorating the 2021 International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) to create awareness on challenges affecting the girl child.
“This year’s IDGC, which is aptly themed,”Digital Generation, Our Generation”, gives credence to our Adolescent Skills and Drills Programme within schools and local communities in Nigeria.
“We are training girls to smash all stereotypes that hold women back, and encouraging girls to take on professions in the Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) field.
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“With the right support and partnership, I believe we can reach every girl child in Nigeria, and empower them digitally to take the right decisions on their health and productivity,” she said.
She said that the foundation had been a frontline advocate for the development of the girl child, leading several innovative projects that had contributed to their health and wellbeing.
The founder also said that in supporting the United Nations agenda for the girl child, it inaugurated several technology-driven programmes for girls.
“The Wellbeing Foundation Africa has launched a Digital Village in Lagos State, deployed virtual teaching aids within the e-Laboratory of the School of Midwifery in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
“Also, it has promoted the training of nurses and midwives across Nigeria on critical Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care, using state-of-the-art anatomical models.
“We are creating safe spaces within the various schools we have initiated our Adolescent Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme.
“This is to ensure that these young girls have a forum for expressing themselves and sharing their challenges, and get the right support they need to be empowered,” Saraki said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Day of the Girl Child is an international observance day declared by the United Nations annually on Oct. 11.
(NAN)
