UNICEF Urges Stakeholders to Accelerate Action to Close Gender Gaps in Nigeria

By Paul Orude, Bauchi

As the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has renewed its call for urgent action by stakeholders in Nigeria to empower girls and close persistent gender gaps.

UNICEF Education Officer, Bauchi Field Office, Raphael Aiyedipe, made the call during the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child held in Bauchi.

Aiyedipe noted that millions of girls in Nigeria still face barriers ranging from violence, child marriage, lack of education, and mental health challenges, adding that while the facts are sobering, the solutions are within reach.

This year’s theme, “The Girl I Am, the Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,” highlights the resilience and leadership of girls facing multiple global challenges.

Aiyedipe emphasised that when a nation invests in girls, it invests in stronger communities and brighter economies. He called on everyone to stand with girls, noting that “when girls lead, the world moves forward.”

UNICEF revealed that girls aged 15–19 are twice as likely as boys to be out of school, unemployed, or not in training. It noted that in fragile and conflict-affected areas, girls are 90 percent more likely to miss out on education than girls in stable environments.

The agency also disclosed that nearly one in four adolescent girls who have ever been in a relationship has experienced intimate partner violence.

“Being a girl shouldn’t determine what you can do, where you can go, or who you can become,” UNICEF stated. “But right now, that’s the reality for millions of girls worldwide.”

According to the UNICEF Education Officer, the 2025 theme reminds everyone that girls are not just survivors of adversity but are leaders shaping a better future.

“Across the globe, girls are rising. They are leading movements, challenging norms, innovating in science and technology, excelling in classrooms, and building communities,” he said.

Despite the grim statistics, UNICEF insists that change is possible.

“There are proven solutions for accelerating progress,” it said. “Investing in girls is one of the smartest actions we can take, with high returns for girls, their communities, and entire economies.”

UNICEF is calling on governments, communities, and individuals to take action by advocating stronger policies that protect girls’ rights, promote their leadership, and ensure their participation in decision-making.

It also urged the creation of safe, girl-led spaces where girls can learn, connect, and grow, alongside increased funding for programmes addressing education, health, and mental well-being.

“When girls are included, everyone gains,” UNICEF stressed.

 “Investing in girls means investing in a stronger, more equitable future for all.”

In her paper presentation titled “Breaking Barriers in Education: Why Every Girl Belongs in Education,” Professor Doris Boryo, Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, advocated for girl-child education in the country to breach gender gap.

Boryo stated that stakeholders must ensure that girls have equal access to education, employment, and adequate healthcare produces benefits that extend to their children, communities, and the nation.

She noted that children of educated women are less likely to die before their first birthday, and girls with education are less likely to contract HIV/AIDS or pass it on to their children.

The university don argued that if women worldwide had secondary education, child deaths would be cut in half, saving millions of lives.

“Educated women tend to make better decisions regarding health and nutrition, leading to better health outcomes for themselves and their families,” she said.

“Women are most vulnerable to trafficking when they are undereducated and poor,” she added, citing the United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking.

“By providing young girls with opportunities and fundamental skills, this billion-dollar industry can be significantly undermined.”