CHI NA ENYE NWA

Abiriba is an ancient kingdom in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State. A kingdom governed by a monarch called the Enachioken. A stool currently occupied by HRH Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu. 

Well this is not the post to learn about Abiriba History, but one where i would like to share my findings on the issues of the girl-child in Abiriba community. But before this, let me give you a little background:

The importance of girl-child education cannot be over emphasized. The benefits spans generations. 

But what happens when girl child education is somewhat being overlooked?? I mean, what happens when you have a rural populace of uneducated young women???

In any normal society, Education is accepted as a tool to prestige, power, survival, greatness and advancement for both men and women. And the development of any society will be without balance if the girl child has no access to quality education.

There are several dimensions to the girl-child problems all over the world today which can all be traced down to customs, traditions and the typical societal mindset that places less value on women and the girl-child. 

This gender apartheid has placed the girl-child in a disadvantaged position, where self-actualization is not achieved and her potentials suppressed thus making her a victim of a pre-existing socio cultural male chauvinism. The girl child is subjected to multiple forms of oppression, discrimination and exploitation.

My research therefore examined the problems and challenges of girl-child education in Abiriba Community. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population for the study targeted all young girls  in the community. However, a sample of 78 girls was randomly drawn. 

SOME OF THE GIRLS THAT TOOK PART IN THE SURVEY

The study revealed that, the problems facing girl-child education in Abiriba Community is not far from Ignorance, illiteracy, poverty, cultural misconceptions, sexual abuse / teenage pregnancy, child labour etc

Abiriba currently is faced with a high number of girls dropping out of school. Not only that the school facilities are currently not in a conducive state for learning, for a community that once boasted of its prestigious schools, but also the high decline of the girl child in schools due to early pregnancy.

This has become a major source of concern as we have a population explosion of young girls from age 7 upwards making babies. 

And yes you read right, Age 7!!!. When i heard this, i was in shock too.

This ugly trend has caused a huge damage on the psyche of the girl child and has truncated her zeal for education.

An average 19 year old in Abiriba today already has a child or 2, and doesn’t see the need to get an education anymore neither has she the means to cater for the child (children) she has brought into the world. And lets not even get started on the age of consent debate or the unreported rape cases.  

Furthermore, the lack of access to proper antenatal care in the course of the pregnancies poses a greater threat to the lives of these young girls.

So, back to the TITLE of this POST  "CHI NA ENYE NWA"  which means "GOD GIVES CHILDREN" is the name coined for the teenage mother's. I mean, its like an association of some sort and its no Joke. 

How does one start explaining life to these young girls?? 

The problems of girl-child education in Abiriba are not insurmountable. It only needs the willpower of the traditional rulers, parents, and well-meaning individuals’ to play critical roles in arresting the situation. But our collective inability to curb this menace by pragmatically campaigning and sensitizing the community on the importance of girl child education and provide basic education and other learning alternatives will continue to heighten the inequality and marginalization of the girl-child in our society. 

Here's an interview with one of the Teenage Mother's

The Challenge is on us to do right by these girls and we will not relent until the change we want is seen.