Non State Actors Make Case For Girl Child's Rights

*Inaugurates Secondary School Peace Clubs

*Marks 2015 International Peace Day

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba, Delta State

A civil society Network, Women Peace and Security Network(WPSN) has raised her voice in support and defence for the rights and dignity of the girl child in Nigeria.

Commemorating this year's international peace day at Warri, Delta State, the network's convener, Mrs Onose Martha, shared with our reporter, an overview of the network.

Our network seeks to increase and influence the effective participation of women and girls in institutions and activities relevant to peace building engagements.

We also work to reduce the prevalence and of violence against women and girls in Nigeria, Mrs Onose told Asaba Post News-Wire.

Mrs Monica Voke-Ighorodje shared with our reporter, the basic focus of the network.
We are committed to actively mobilize support towards the domestication of the National Action Plan on the UNSCR1325.

The network is work also on monitoring the implementation of the state action plan as well as respect for women and girl-child's right.

Mrs Onose Martha stressed that the network uses advocacy and grassroot campaigns to reach policy makers and other key societal influencers on issues that affect the girl child.

Empowering women and girls through capacity building and grassroot sensitization are some of the measures our network put in place sustain respect for the girl-child and women.

Commemorating this year's international peace day, the network organized seminar for participants drawn from professional bodies, civil society actors, media, teachers union, secondary school students and community leaders.

Earlier in her seminar presentation, Mrs Monica Voke-Ighorodje unveiled legal provisions contained in Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPPA 2015) and National Action Plan on the UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace, Security and other related resolutions in Nigeria.

One of the major highlights of the event was essay competition amongst eight selected secondary school in Warri South Local Government Area.

Students of selected secondary schools wrote essay on ' Respect for Peace and Human Rights Towards the Education of the Girl Child.

The network commissioned and inaugurated peace clubs leadership in participating secondary schools.
Onyekachi Enwereike from Delta Secondary School; Enyinbo Gift from Federal Government College and Marvelous Agbona from Don Domingos College placed third, second and first positions respectively in the essay competition.

Educational enriching consolation prizes were also given out to all students from participating schools.
In her closing remarks, Mrs Monica Voke-Ighorodje pointed out the need for active involvement of committed male champions in the fight against violence on women and the girl-child.

The one day event received support from the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Program (NSRP).