Wife of the Nasarawa State governor, Hajiya Silifat Sule, has decried the high rate of drug abuse among girls in the state.
Speaking at an event to commemorate the International Women’s Day in Lafia yesterday, Mrs Sule described the situation as disturbing and sad.
She said young girls were becoming increasingly vulnerable because of lack of proper care from parents who were supposed to guide them through the life journey.
She urged mothers to always monitor the activities of their wards and also ensure that they keep the right companies and good friends.
She also called for serious public enlightenment on the dangers of drug abuse in schools in addition to regular advocacy on the need to abstain from the habit.
The commissioner for women affairs and social development, Aishatu Rufa’I, called for opportunities to enable more women participate in politics.
She said discriminatory practices against women had been entrenched in the Nigerian socio-economic and political structure and system over the years, pointing out that the situation had set barriers for equitable participation of women, especially in political and economic activities.
“While women have shown remarkable capacity and resilience in social, economic and indeed political transformations and wellbeing of their societies, they are largely discriminated against and suffer many kinds of inhuman and degrading conditions on account of cultural, religious, social and political stereotypes and beliefs,” she said.
According to her, to ensure change in the system, there is need for a deliberate approach to reduce the widening gender gap in order to achieve development and inclusive governance, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
