As the world commemorates International Women’s Day, Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria calls upon the national, state and local governments to empower tomorrow’s women by promoting and protecting their rights to quality education, healthy start in life and end all forms of gender-based violence against girls and women in a bid to #BreakTheBias.

The group welcomes the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, “gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow,” as a matter of its critical relevance in recognising the contribution of women and girls around the world, who are exerting exemplary effort in response to climate change, building resilient communities and a more sustainable future for all children, girls, men and women.

It says one of the huge threats to “sustainable tomorrow” is climate change, which is a threat to the rights of children, girls, women and particularly those living with disabilities, as they are the first and worst affected by the impact of climate change whether by climate-related natural disasters or the impact of climate change on food production, access to water, livelihoods and basic social services.

Its Country Director, Mercy Gichuhi said Protecting the environment is about preserving the planet earth for children, girls and women, to have a livable environment, sustainable tomorrow and a brighter future, saying it is about peace, survival, social and economic justice and sustainable development.

She urged all responsible actors, including the government, private sectors, CSOs, FBOs, CBOs and communities to double and intensify efforts to achieving the global targets of strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters; integrating climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning; and improving education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning systems, which can save the lives of many children, girls and women who are the most affected by the climate crisis.

Save the Children International Nigeria’s Girl Champion, Purity Oriaifo, said in communities today, girls continue to suffer from gender inequality, saying in conflict, displacement and disaster situations, girls are being abducted, raped, and forced into marriage.

According to her, the issues with girls extend beyond child marriage, female genital mutilation, as it affects the girls’ entire life, saying Millions of girls were not privileged to enjoy their childhood but subjected to take responsibilities they were not prepared for, that is why women, girls will continue to advocate, raise awareness and fight for a gender equal Nigeria.

Director of Advocacy and Campaign, Save the Children International Nigeria, Amanuel Mamo said “through our campaign, called, Girls’ Education Campaign, we are aiming to empower Nigerian girls and women to have “sustainable tomorrow”, become resilient, learn, have livelihood opportunities and make an informed decision on issues that affect them, including early, child and forced marriage.

Save the Children International Nigeria calls upon families, communities, local, state and national governments to join hands in making the society free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination against girls and women – but respect and celebrate their potential and contributions in creating “sustainable tomorrow” for all of us.

Save the Children will continue to campaign and advocate with, and for the rights of the most marginalized children in Nigeria to ensure that no girl child is left behind or excluded from the opportunity to access quality, safe, free, uninterrupted and inclusive education, health, nutrition and other social services in a bid to achieve the sustainable development goals