The Plan International, a non-governmental organisation, has unveiled a $1bn US dollars global strategy fund targeting 200m girls to address problems affecting children’s rights and their wellbeing.
The Global Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Plan International, Mr Stephen Omollo, said this on Monday in Abuja at the Global Strategy Launch 2022-2027 of the scheme, themed ‘Girls Standing Strong to make global change’.
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According to him, societies thrived when girls learn, and that tremendous and lasting positive impacts would be seen if attention was given to the girl child rights in the area of education, health and politics.
“We are looking at how to expand its reach and work with the partnership and grow investment to work with young people in Nigeria. We are here in Nigeria to launch this global strategy, which really pleases us as Plan International working with partners, and in Nigeria to progress the issue and advance children’s rights and equality for girls.
“We are here to discuss issues on how we can together accompany the Government of Nigeria, the people of Nigeria, to say that we can address the humanitarian context in the country and address issues that impact on children. We have an investment plan. We have just launched what we call the Global Girls Foundation, which is an investment plan to grow more income, and to reach more girls.
“Globally; we want to reach 200 million girls. With assistance, we want to ensure that girls learn, lead, that girls can decide and that girls thrive,” Omollo said.
He also said that the five-year global investment strategy is targeting 200m girls, urging donors to support the course to address issues affecting the girl child.
He commended the supportive role of the government to achieve this feat and expressed hope that the collaboration would be sustained and improved upon.
The Chairman of the Board, Plan International, Mrs. Gunvor Kronman, said past initiatives of the organisation had succeeded and expressed optimism that the new initiative would yield perfect results at the end of the five-year programme.
According to her, the organisation would work with local communities to address the humanitarian needs in the country.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen assured of continuous support to promote the rights of the girl child in the country.
The minister, represented by the Director, Child Development Department of the ministry, Mr Ali Madugu, said the budget for the ministry would henceforth include a budget line for girls’ education.
“And we can see that they are not only concerned with only the Nigerian girls, but they are trying to expose them to international issues so that Nigerian girls will learn from them and also build their capacity and build their future,” she said.
Speaking earlier, the Country Director, Plan International Nigeria, Mr. Charles Usie Emmamuzou, said that about 15m girls have been targeted under the programme across Nigeria.
According to him, the strategy would bring new focus to girls and young people in meaningful ways in building their capacities to tackle the issues they face, especially girls.
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