The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says Nigeria’s spotlight must shine brightest on girls for the country to remain on course for the attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The global children’s body said this in a statement issued by its communication officer, Sefiyah Bello, in Abuja on Wednesday, on the occasion of the 2023 International Day of the Girl-Child (IDGC).

She stated that the spotlight should be especially on girls who are marginalised due to disability, poverty, or crisis, and those who are pregnant, parenting, or married.

The IDGC is annually celebrated on October 11 as a global platform to advocate for the full spectrum of girls’ rights.

The 2023 theme is “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-Being.”

Mr Bello, therefore, added that “every year on October 11, the world unites to celebrate the resilience, strength, and potential of girls, highlighting the distinct challenges they face worldwide.

“As we approach the midpoint of the 2030 SDG journey, the focus on the well-being and rights of all, especially girls, becomes even more critical.

“In spite of the strides made, the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2023 indicates a sobering 131 years before we achieve full gender parity.

“The current global landscape, marked by resistance to gender equality and multifaceted crises, has further jeopardised the rights of adolescent girls, putting the vision of a just world for all at risk.”

The organisation, however, said that in Nigeria, the stakes were high for an estimated 26 million adolescent girls ages 10 to 19 years.

“Our collective responsibility extends to championing girls’ education, preventing harmful cultural practices, advancing menstrual hygiene, offering tailored health services, and meeting the nutritional requirements of these young ladies.

“While the terrain might be fraught with challenges, there is hope.

“Nigeria’s adolescent girls are not passive bystanders but active agents of change, driving transformative initiatives in their communities.”

UNICEF added that the time has come for their voices to echo louder in the halls of decision-making.

It added that girls from UNICEF’s programme in Katsina and Sokoto, for instance, have put forth actionable demands ranging from life skills training and accessible digital devices to the critical involvement of fathers in girls’ education.

The organisation, therefore, called for renewed vigour in safeguarding and fostering the rights of adolescent girls.

It added that their boundless potential deserves nothing less than the country’s utmost commitment and investment.

The UNICEF representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, was quoted in the statement as saying, “The potential of our girls is limitless, but we must first provide them with the platforms to express, learn, and thrive.

“Our commitment to this cause is unwavering and paramount for the nation’s progress.

“In a rapidly evolving world, the dreams and aspirations of our adolescent girls are the beacons that can guide our efforts toward a more inclusive, equitable future.”

(NAN)