Thomas Abi Jr|22 September 2015|5:23am
Educate a woman, you educate the nation. That has become a popular saying all over the Africa continent. On the inauguration of President Barack Obama into the White House as President of the United States Of America, he said the world can not be really free until our women begin to earn money equal to the job they do.
As Cross River State wakes up to civil liberties and the basic rights of her People, education of the girl child has to be given due priority.
We are in a State where wife battering , and humiliation is very high. One of the main causes of this female gender inequality is lack of education for the Cross River Woman(Girl Child). There is a an old age mentality that a girl child upon marriage will belong to another family and this has contributed to the high rate of lack of education on the girl child in Cross River State.
EDUCATING THE GIRL CHILD FOR A BETTER ECONOMY
A woman who stay at home will not impact much on the economy of the State. If a woman is not earning, that means she is not taxed and she will still enjoy the basic amenities provided by government, which are financed by taxes paid by tax payers. The government of Cross River State must empower the women(Girl Child), if the war against poverty must me won. If everyone contributes to the growth of the economy, fast growth will be experienced in the State.
Lack of education in women contributes largely to the slow rate of development. A family where both spouses are earning is a happier family. The children go to good schools and they live a healthy life. If a woman is educated, her family is more secured. It is on record that women have natural talent for management. They are better managers of the home, income and finances that trickles into the family.
The government of Cross River State must as a matter of urgency through the Office of the First Lady, pay special attention on the girl child education. The women of Cross River State(Girl Child) must be given equal treatment as accorded their male counterparts. It is on record globally, that women can now inherit from their parents. And so the girl child must be properly trained and educated to manage business and investments in the society.
EMPOWERING THE WOMEN OF CROSS RIVER STATE THROUGH LOANS AND SKILLS
The women of Cross River State are very hard working and industrious women. From research over the years, it is on record, that the Cross River women are better managers of resources than the men. It is also on record that the women of Cross River State that are educated and are career women have done better in the society than the men folk. And so, there is the need to encourage more women to go to school and also encourage them in acquiring a skill that will put food on the table and carter for their basic needs.
The women of Cross River State need skills, they need to be trained on vocational and technical education. Skills that can be transferred to their children on the long run. The women of Cross River State also need to be properly funded. There is the need for women to be granted loans. Loans that can help them set up their own businesses and also incorporate others into their business.
The women of Cross River State are very sound and hardworking, they can be given skills in craft making, soap making, hair making, weaving of clothes, poultry, fishery, palm oil making, vegetable oil making, garri processing, flour making, baking of pastries and many more.
We must not let the potentials of our women waste. The First Lady of Cross River State, Dr. Linda Ayade, has the task of empowering women in the State. She has to take it upon her self and empower our women(Girl Child) as one of her pet projects. "If you empower a woman, you empower the nation".
Prince Thomas Abi Jr.
Is a public Affairs Analyst/ Information Technologist.
