The Honourable member representing Amuwo-Odofin Constituency 1, at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mrs Mojisolaoluwa Alli-Macaulay has called upon the Lagos State Government at all levels to implement policies that will enable the girl child’s active participation in the political affairs of the state. This call which came at the floor of the house during one of its sittings which held on October 11, 2021, a day set aside by the United Nations to Celebrate the International Girl Child Day.
Honourable Mojisolaoluwa Alli-Macaulay who is known for her strong advocacy for women and children policies and initiatives stressed the need for the government at all levels to create an enabling environment and opportunities for the girl child to thrive as she noted how she seized the opportunity to serve as a female law maker.
The International girl child day is one that is always celebrated across the globe as the United Nations had set this day aside for the world to identify with the female gender, discuss their travails and encourage them through policies and opportunities being made available to them. The theme of this year’s day is “Digital Generation, Our Generation” and it stresses the need for potentials in the girl child to be encouraged while equipping them with the necessary skills and opportunities to thrive.
Here is the honourable’s full speech at the floor of the house:
“I want to explain this very important day to the good people of Lagos state and also the state government.
Today 11th October 2021 happens to be the international day of the girl child, which is usually celebrated by the United Nations.
Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, 11th October every year is set aside by the United Nations to recognize girl child rights and unique challenges girls are facing around the world.
The theme for this year is “Digital generation, Our generation”.
Every year all girls are reassured of the importance and encouraged to have access to the opportunity to grow and maximize their potentials, in the same vein, the day is also designated to mitigate against gender based challenges including early child marriages, poor learning opportunities, violence, discrimination, lack of access to health care, excused opportunities that girls are facing around the world.
Mr. Speaker Sir, distinguished honourable colleagues, it is pertinent that a deliberate policy is initiated to enable active participation of the girl child in all affairs of the state, by the time they become young adults, it is also worthy of mentioning, Mr. Speaker that I, Honourable Mojisolaoluwa is also a girl child.
Having been given the opportunity as a girl has made me to become one of the lawmakers of the state and for representing the good people of Amuwo Odofin, the opportunity came and I took it, a lot of girls out there are also willing and it is very good for the state government to also take up the policy to enable the girl child of today to be able to become.
In conclusion Mr. Speaker Sir, as the world mark the day today, the international day of the girl child, I wish to enjoin the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Local Governments, the Local Council Development Areas and every Lagosian to ensure that the objectives of the celebration of today are actualized and become a reality, not just today but every time the girl child day is mentioned.”
Hon Mojisolaoluwa Alli-Macaulay is the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Job Creation at the 9th Assembly of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
