Teenage campaigner against rights abuses, Favour Chibueze, took control of the Swedish embassy in Nigeria for a day to advocate for child rights—especially protecting the right of girls to an education, and protecting girls themselves from abuse.
“I have met several children who have been sexually violated ,and some are pregnant, they do not have the basis on how to take care of their children, they do have the support on how to take care of their needs,” she said in her capacity as ambassador of Sweden.
“My mother died during pregnancy, so i can feel what they are going through, I know so many children, getting raped and getting pregnant.” she said.
“I am a child, and enjoy being a child, am aware of the Child Act Law. If this Law is domesticated in the 36 states of Nigeria, children will be protected from child abuse, rape, violence and other acts.
“I survived domestic violence and I know, how it can affect children.”
She is the teenage champion adopted this year for the Girls Take Over by Plan International Nigeria, an international humanitarian group working for girls rights, to mark the International Day of the Girl Child, every October 11.
Sweden was picked because of its growing feminist policy, being the first to adopt feminism as an international foreign policy.
Chibueze used the platform to call on federal and state government to stand for and protect the rights of children.
Government should help in educating the girl child, give them the right to speak out when being violated, allow them to speak out.” she added.
Every October 11th girls around the world raised their voices for justice and equality by taking over more than 600 positions of power to mark International Day of the Girl. Hundreds of leaders and decision makers worldwide stepped aside to let girls take charge in over 60 countries.
The Head of Administration at Swedish Embassy, Linda Pendersen, stood in for the ambassador before the symbolic takeover by Chibueze, said Sweden became the first country in the world to launch a feminist foreign policy going back to October 2014.
” I like to take opportunity to show strong support for the girls take over campaign, and Plan international with gender equality and girls’ rights.”
“In 2014, Sweden became to launch feminist foreign policy. The aim is to strengthen all women and girls, and ensure they are represented and have the same resources.”
The policy campaigns for women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights, and greater access to midwives.
