Int’l Girl Child Day: Bauchi NGO Cautions Girls On Using Social Media Negatively

 

By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi 

In commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child 2023, themed “Digital Generation, our Generation”, the Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative (FAWOYDI) in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria with funding from Global Affairs Canada has conducted an outreach for girls in Giade local government area of Bauchi State.

The outreach was premised on seeking ways to encouraging girls to use the social media to improve their lives as well as supporting more girls and women to grow their Information and Communication Technology skills.

Hajiya Maryam Sabo Abdulkadir, the Hakima of Giade who received the NGO team on behalf of the emirate council at the palace of the Emir of Giade, said that girls face challenges ranging from discrimination, violence, limited access to education, health care and unequal opportunities, which has marred their path to fulfilment of their goals in life.

According to her, one of the ways girls can educate themselves is through using technology in a positive way, stressing on the need for the girl-child to take advantage of digital media to enhance their understanding  and improve their performance in Science, Technology, Engineering,  Maths and dealing with online abuse.

“Girls can use social media mindfully and deliberately to educate themselves, instead of engaging in activities in the social media that does not profit them.You can do business on social media as well as expand your knowledge on whatever field of study you are interested in,” She said. 

Speaking earlier, the Program Manager, Women Voice and Leadership Project, Altine Bani, said that the 2023 commemoration was very significant considering the fact that many girls are left behind in the area of technology.She noted that many girls are not taking advantage of the positive use of the social media.

“This year celebration is very significant considering the theme of the year ” the digital generation, our generation”. Many  girls and women are let behind in the area of technology. It is sad that even those who are are using it, have a negative perspective of the use of the social media. Using social media in a negative way has consequences that can pose as danger to their lives and goals,” She said.