13 October 2020
In an address on Girl Child Day 2020, the lawmaker representing Ward 7 in Bakassi local government area of Cross River State sued for equality between male and female children. For Grace Bassey fulfiling this mandate sets the foundation for actualising the others.
Hon. Bassey who doubles as the Chair of the Health committee at the Bakassi Legislative Council observed the high day in her ward. She distributed items such as sanitary pads, Facemask, exercise books, pen/pencil, eraser, and sharpener, to girls.
Excerpt from her speech:
Address by Hon. Grace Bassey of Ward 7 in Bakassi LGA, Cross River, Nigeria on the Occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child 2020.
'Today, 12th October world over and annually since twenty five (25) years ago, the world has been commemorating the international agenda for promoting the right and empowerment of the girl child and woman anywhere and everywhere through the adoption of the 1995 Beijing Women Declaration and Platform for Action. This document harped on gender equality for the girl.
'The Platform for Action touched on 12 critical areas, namely, education and training; health; violence; armed
conflict; economy; power and decision-making; institutional mechanisms;
human rights; media; environment; and but more importantly —the girl child. Concerning the girl child, the issues bother on eliminating discrimination and gender inequality in both private and public spaces.
'I understand that since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration for the past 20 years, it must be acknowledged that across countries of the world, legislations deemed to be discriminatory, violence against girls and women as well as inimical practices have drastically reduced. However, it must be admitted that no country has achieved equality between women and men. For instance, a source has observed that 'Critical areas of insufficient progress include
access to decent work and closing the gender pay gap; rebalancing of the care
workload; ending violence against women; reducing maternal mortality and
realizing sexual and reproductive health and rights; and participation in power
and decision-making at all levels.'
'From the preceding, it's logical to have already develop a new sense of urgency in further addressing these weaknesses in combating inequality between girlchild and boychild.
'I am therefore using this opportunity to call on all and sundry to consider equality between the girl child and boychild in the areas of economy, politics and culture. Achieving this equality is fundamental to achieving others.
I greet you all.
Bassey
Bakassi, 11th October 2020
