Source: DailyTimes
Enrolment of the girl child must double for the country to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of achieving gender parity in education by 2015

Nothing less than 4 million girls in Nigeria do not attend schools, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Haijya Zainab Maina, said in a statement released on Sunday.

The statement, which was signed by Saghir el-Mohammed, the ministry’s Head of Communications, noted that the children are aged between six and 11.

“Rapid progress in girl’s enrolment, retention and completion will have to double as it is now, if Nigeria is to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of achieving gender parity in education by 2015,” the statement said. “This will also help in targeting and improving their participation in the socio-economic and political development of the nation,''

The education minister made an advocacy visit to the Government Girls Secondary School in Iola, Adamawa State. Her visit was part of a nationwide campaign on the need for improved access to quality education and equal opportunities for both women and men.

“Access is essential to ensure that women of all ages acquire the knowledge, capacities, aptitude, skills and ethical values, needed to develop and participate in national development,’’ she said.

Maina said that failure to allow women exercise rights such as; the right to education, political participation, and other opportunities would only worsen the country’s poverty situation.

She called on lawmakers in the country to legislate on compulsory education of all children by their parents and guardians.

The minister pointed out that the girl-child was unfortunately discriminated against from birth to adulthood due to some traditional and cultural norms.

She said as a result of prevailing gender disparities, most girls are excluded from schools and left uneducated.

“She (the girl-child) is saddled with household chores, and is only to be seen and not heard,” Maina said.

• Nigeria