Deputy Chief Whip of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Obiajulu Ugwu, has urged parents and government to prioritise girl-child education for national development.

She made the call on Thursday in Enugu State at a workshop for secondary school pupils in Enugu South Local Government Area, to celebrate the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child, organised by the Princess Obiajulu Ugwu Foundation.

She reiterated her determination to ensure women’s inclusion and gender equality in Enugu State, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

She stated, “We are trying to build girls’ capacity for them to be qualified to actually be included. It is not that we do not have qualified females, but there is a need to bring up these young females to the level that is globally accepted. Most times, the men think that the women are in competition with them, but in all honesty, it is not competition. What we are coming to do is complement the men. It is a collaboration but it must be balanced for it to thrive and work. This workshop, therefore, is focused on personal development, leadership skills and nutrition, providing girls with insights from accomplished women in various fields.”

The lawmaker noted that the workshop was also a step towards bridging the gender gap in education and empowering future leaders.

She explained that investing in girls was crucial for the development of every society.

A guest speaker at the event, Chukwuma Okenwa, challenged girls to ensure nothing stopped them from developing their capacities.

Mr Okenwa noted that the clamour for inclusion of women into strategic leadership positions would only benefit those who empowered themselves through education, urging them to take their studies seriously.

He criticised men who intentionally suppressed and prevented their wives from being empowered, adding that such families suffer when eventuality occurs.

A nutrition expert, Onyeka Udegbunam, asked the participants to be mindful of their nutrition, saying it contributes to their physical and mental wellbeing.

Ms Udegbunam warned that malnutrition could cause stunted growth and urged school administrators to reintroduce farm gardens in their various schools to fight malnutrition.

(NAN)