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By: Alice A. Adie

The girl child is a biological female off- spring from birth to eighteen (18) years of age, this is the age before one becomes a young adult.

This period covers crèche, nursery, or early childhood (0-5 years), primary (6-12 years) and secondary (12-18). During this period, the young child is totally under the care of the adult who may be her parent, guardian or older siblings; it is made up of infancy, childhood, early and late adolescence stage of development.

Throughout this period, the girl child is flexible, builds and develops her personality and character, she is very dependent on the significant others, those on whom she molds her behavior through observation, repetition and imitation.

In many cultures and societies, the girl child is denied her human rights and sometimes her basic needs. She is at increased risk of sexual abuse and exploitation and other harmful practices that negatively affects her survival, development and ability to achieve her fullest potential.

A girl child needs to be mentored and taught the proper values that will improve her self worth. A girl child needs to be provided for, cared for, cherished and loved. A girl child needs to be affirmed repeatedly that she is priceless. Parents, care-givers, governments and the society at large owe her these.

The girl child I’d expected to dress in a feminine way, be polite, accommodating, and nurturing. It is in the nature of a girl child to be all caring and loving.

To educate a girl child means to train her mind, character and abilities. Education is a fundamental human right that should be availed to every girl child irrespective of the age, religion and nationality.

Elevating the level of girls education is vital to improving the lives of girls and people everywhere. Research shows that better female education is associated with lower rates of poverty and improved health. Educating girls is an investment that leads to outcomes benefiting society at large.