Amnesty International (AI) Friday urged the federal government to reintegrate and empower girls and young women who survived terrorism attacks in Nigeria, including the Chibok girls who are now women.
Programme Manager, Amnesty International Nigeria, Ms. Barbara Magaji, made the call during an event to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child in Abuja.
Magaji stressed the importance of standing in solidarity with girls affected by conflict around the world, including those in Nigeria who have faced grave violations at the hands of terrorist groups and, in some cases, security forces.
She said: “This International Day of the Girl, we stand with girls living in conflict zones. It is only by uniting for peace that we can truly bring an end to the devastating impact of conflict on girls around the world.
“Until then, immediate action is needed to support all civilians, especially girls facing the dangers of conflict every day. “
Magaji highlighted the particular suffering of young women and girls who were abducted by terrorists, many of whom have returned with children, often stigmatised as “children of terrorists.”
She urged the government to ensure the reintegration of these survivors into society, providing them with the necessary support for rebuilding their lives.
According to her, Our advocacy this year is focused on reintegrating these girls and young women who have experienced horrific violations. Some of them have returned with children and are struggling with societal stigmatisation.
“We call on the government to ensure they are not forgotten, to provide them with access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, and to support their children,” Magaji stated.
Also speaking, Ms. Helen Adah, a member of Amnesty International Nigeria, underscored the significance of October 11 as a global moment to celebrate the power of girls and highlight the challenges they face.
She called for a renewed commitment from the Nigerian government to rescue the girls still in captivity and protect the rights of those who have returned.
Adah maintained that their rehabilitation is not only a moral obligation but also a critical component in achieving lasting peace.