Supporting a girl child is of great gain - Jokpeme Joseph Omode

I have seen alot of great impactful achievements of a girl child in the society. This is why I always advocate for massive support of a girl child in any family I see or given the chance to help or give opinion. Supporting girls’ education is one of the most impactful investments in society. When girls have access to quality education, the benefits extend beyond the individual to families, communities, and entire nations."When you educate a girl, you educate a nation." Every girl deserves the chance to learn, dream, and lead. Supporting girls’ education is not charity—it is justice and a pathway to a brighter, more equal future.

When we speak of education, we speak of the most powerful tool that humanity has ever discovered to transform lives, communities, and nations. Education is the light that dispels the darkness of ignorance. It is the bridge that carries individuals from poverty to prosperity, from dependence to independence, from silence to having a voice.

And yet, when it comes to girls—our daughters, our sisters, our future mothers, our future leaders—the light of education is too often dimmed or extinguished. Around the world, millions of girls are denied the opportunity to sit in a classroom, to hold a book, to learn how to read, to dream of careers and ambitions beyond the walls of their homes.

Imagine Sarah, a 12-year-old girl in a rural village, who wakes up at dawn to fetch water for her family. She longs to be a teacher, but her parents believe sending her to school is a waste of resources. Imagine Bunmi, bright and eager, but forced into early marriage before she even understands what marriage means. Imagine countless others, silenced before they ever get a chance to speak.

Today, I rise to make the case that supporting girl-child education is not just a matter of charity. It is a matter of justice. It is not just about lifting one gender; it is about lifting entire societies. When we educate a girl, we educate a family. When we educate a girl, we educate a nation.

What keeps girls away from school and being educated? What are the challenges and barriers? 

First, poverty: Families living in extreme poverty often prioritize the education of sons over daughters. A boy is seen as an investment, while a girl is seen as temporary—destined to marry into another family. The cost of school fees, uniforms, or transportation becomes a wall that blocks girls from classrooms.

Second, cultural and social norms. In many communities, outdated beliefs hold that a woman’s place is in the kitchen, not in the classroom. The girl child is burdened with household chores and expected to care for younger siblings while her brother attends school.

Third, child marriage and teenage pregnancy. Every year, millions of girls are forced into early marriages. In Nigeria, an estimated 43% of girls are married before the age of 18. Once married, most of them never return to school.

Fourth, infrastructure and safety. Girls cannot learn if schools are unsafe, too far away, or lack basic facilities like toilets for menstrual hygiene. Many parents keep daughters at home simply because the journey to school is dangerous or the school itself lacks dignity.

Finally, the digital divide. In today’s world, education is increasingly digital. But girls in rural communities have less access to internet, electricity, or digital devices. The COVID-19 pandemic widened this gap, and millions of girls never returned to classrooms after schools reopened.

The Benefits of Educating Girls

Now, let us turn to hope. Why should we invest in educating the girl child?

First, economic empowerment. Research shows that every additional year of schooling for a girl can increase her future income by 10–20%. An educated woman is more likely to find decent work, start a business, and contribute to her community’s economy.

Second, health outcomes. Educated girls marry later, have fewer and healthier children, and are better informed about nutrition, immunization, and maternal health. According to UNICEF, if all girls completed secondary school, child deaths would drop by 49% worldwide.

Third, breaking the cycle of poverty. An educated mother is far more likely to send her own children—both boys and girls—to school. Thus, one educated girl becomes the seed of an entire generation of learners.

Fourth, leadership and social change. When girls are educated, they are empowered to lead. They become doctors, teachers, engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and political leaders. They challenge stereotypes, inspire communities, and shape policies.

Fifth, national development. No country can truly progress while half its population is left behind. Educating girls is not a luxury; it is a necessity for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Nations that invest in girls’ education reap rewards in peace, prosperity, and stability.

 Here are some key points and ways to support girl-child education:h Wy Supporting Girls’ Education Matters

1. Breaks the cycle of poverty – Educated girls are more likely to secure better jobs, earn higher incomes, and support their families.

2. Improves health outcomes – Girls who go to school marry later, have fewer children, and are better informed about nutrition and healthcare.

3. Empowers communities – Educated women often become leaders, entrepreneurs, and role models in their communities.

4. Boosts national development – Countries with higher female literacy rates experience stronger economic growth and stability.

5. Protects rights – Education equips girls to stand against exploitation, early marriage, and gender-based violence.

Practical Ways To Support Girls’ Education

1. Provide scholarships for underprivileged girls.

2. Advocate for policies that remove barriers such as child marriage, gender bias, or unsafe school environments.

3. Mentorship programs to guide and inspire young girls.

4. Community sensitization campaigns to encourage parents to value and invest in girls’ education.

5. Support NGOs and initiatives like Malala Fund, CAMFED, Girl Rising, UNICEF education programs.

6. Digital access – Provide access to books, internet, and learning tools, especially in rural areas.

7. Safe learning spaces – Ensure schools have proper facilities like clean water, sanitation, and menstrual hygiene products.

How The Government, Leaders And NGO's Can Support Girls’ Education

So what must we do?

1. Governments must make education free, compulsory, and truly accessible to all. Policies should not just exist on paper but must be enforced in practice. Budgets must prioritize schools, teachers, and learning resources for every child.

2. Communities and parents must shift their mindsets. A daughter is not a burden; she is a blessing. A girl’s education is not wasted; it is multiplied.

3. Religious and traditional leaders—your voices matter deeply. When you speak, communities listen. Use your influence to advocate for girls’ education, to discourage early marriage, and to promote dignity for every child.

4. Civil society and NGOs must continue to build bridges where governments fall short: by providing scholarships, mentorship programs, safe learning spaces, and awareness campaigns. Organizations such as CAMFED in Africa, the Malala Fund, UNICEF, and countless local NGOs are already doing inspiring work—but they need our partnership.

5. Technology must be harnessed. From mobile learning apps to community digital centers, we can close the digital divide. Every girl should have access to the tools of the 21st century.

5. Men and boys must also be part of this movement. Brothers, fathers, and husbands—supporting girls’ education does not diminish you; it dignifies you. When you stand for girls, you stand for justice.

 

My sincere appeal and advocacy 

The future we desire—a future of prosperity, peace, and equality—depends on the education of our girls today. A bird cannot fly with only one wing. Likewise, a nation cannot soar when half its population is denied the chance to rise.

Supporting girl-child education is not optional; it is essential. It is not a task for tomorrow; it is an emergency for today.

Let us be the generation that finally says: no more lost dreams, no more stolen childhoods, no more silenced voices. Let us be the generation that lights the torch of education for every girl, in every community, in every nation.

Because when she learns, the world wins.

When she is educated, the world is empowered.When she rises, we all rise.

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• Jokpeme Joseph Omode is the Editor-in-Chief of Alexa News Nigeria (Alexa.ng), where he leads with vision, integrity, and a passion for impactful storytelling. With years of experience in journalism and media leadership, Joseph has positioned Alexa News Nigeria as a trusted platform for credible and timely reporting.
  
  
  He oversees the editorial strategy, guiding a dynamic team of reporters and content creators to deliver stories that inform, empower, and inspire. His leadership emphasizes accuracy, fairness, and innovation, ensuring that the platform thrives in today’s fast-changing digital landscape.
  
  
  Under his direction, Alexa News Nigeria has become a strong voice on governance, education, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. Joseph is deeply committed to using journalism as a tool for accountability and progress, while also mentoring young journalists and nurturing new talent.
  
  
  Through his work, he continues to strengthen public trust and amplify voices that shape a better future. Joseph Omode is a multifaceted professional with over a decade years of diverse experience spanning media, brand strategy and development, public relations and reputation management, communication and media relations, content creation, design and visual branding.His career spans various industries, including hospitality management, oil and gas, education, and community development, demonstrating his versatility and ability to adapt his skills to different challenges. His career, marked by adaptability, continuous learning, and a dedication to creating meaningful change, positions him as a forward-thinking person equipped to drive innovation and impact across sectors.