Towards Empowerment of the Nigerian Girl-Child, the Socio-Cultural Diagnosis

Adebola  Helen; F.E. Anyachebelu; Madu Caterine  Omeriyang

Authors

Adebola Helen Department of Adult Education Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra State, Nigeria
F.E. Anyachebelu Department od Earlychildhood and Primary Education Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
Madu Caterine Omeriyang Department of Adult Education Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra state, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the socio-cultural factors affecting the girl-child and strategies towards the empowerment of the Nigerian
girl-child. The population of the study comprised of all 228 female load carriers in three major markets in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. All
the population was used for the study. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analysed applying
frequency counts and mean statistics. Findings revealed that early marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), taboos are some of the
socio-cultural factors affecting Nigerian Girl-child. The findings of the study showed that poverty, physiological and psychological are
effects of socio-cultural factors on Nigerian girl child. The findings of the study further revealed that empowering the girl-child in
Education, vocational skills and establishing of girls’ clubs in market places and schools will help the Nigerian girl-child in getting her full
potentials in life. Based on these finings, the study recommended that Federal government of Nigeria should make sure that all laws
prohibiting malpractices against girl-child and women are religiously implemented and anybody who goes against such laws should be
sanctioned irrespective of their positions and society.