A recent visit by the High Level Women Advocacy (HiLWA) group to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Niger has revealed a troubling situation regarding the education and living conditions of displaced children, especially girls. This eye-opening visit highlights critical issues that demand immediate attention.
Key takeaways from this article:
- Dire living conditions: Families are crammed into single classrooms.
- Education at risk: The presence of IDPs is disrupting normal schooling.
- Lack of guidance: Girls lack the counseling needed to understand the importance of education.
- Hope amid hardship: Despite it all, young girls dream of bright futures.
IDP Camp Visit: What Was Uncovered?
The HiLWA delegation, led by Hajiya Hassana Adamu, visited the IDP camp located at Central Primary School in Gwada, Shiroro Local Government Area. The visit aimed to assess the living standards and education opportunities for out-of-school children, with a particular focus on girls. HiLWA, a non-governmental organization, is dedicated to promoting girl-child education and was deeply concerned by what they found.
The State of Education: A Cause for Alarm
During their visit, HiLWA noted the significant lack of exposure to the importance of education among girls in the camp. The girls are not getting the necessary guidance and counselling, which are essential for their development and future prospects. It’s a major concern and the advocacy group is planning to address this with the state chairman of Universal Basic Education. Imagine not knowing what the future could hold because no one guides you, this is the reality for these young girls.
Disruption of Regular Schooling
The presence of IDPs in the school premises is severely affecting the education of regular pupils. According to the Head Mistress of Central Primary School, Mrs. Justina Barde, the situation creates accommodation challenges. Multiple families, sometimes with both men and women, live in a single classroom, raising significant safety and protection concerns, especially for female children. This is not just about education; it’s about the safety and well-being of these children.
Overcrowding and Safety Issues
The living conditions are cramped and dangerous. Imagine six families sharing a single classroom, including both males and females. This environment not only disrupts their education but also poses a severe threat to the safety and privacy of the girls. Such a situation should never exist, the overcrowding leaves little room for dignity or personal space.
Dreams Amidst Hardship
Despite the bleak conditions, some of the girls, like Rita Iliya and Jennifer Nehemiah, expressed their aspirations to become a medical doctor and a tailor, respectively. This shows their resilience and desire for a better future despite their irregular school attendance. Their dreams must be nurtured and supported, not neglected.
HiLWA’s Pledge and Future Actions
HiLWA is not just observing; they’re acting. They plan to advocate for the relocation of IDPs from the school premises. They also aim to provide guidance and counselling officers to educate girls about the value of education. To aid immediately, they presented items like biscuits, detergents, soap, and pure water to the IDPs. However, this is just a drop in the ocean; what’s needed is systemic change.
Who Else Is Involved?
The delegation included female permanent secretaries and officials from the Adolescent Girls’ Child Education (AGILE) and the Niger state Child Rights Agency. This multi-agency approach shows a commitment to addressing the complex needs of these vulnerable populations. But, more needs to be done.
The situation in the IDP camp is a clear call for action. It’s a call for better living conditions, a call for accessible education, and a call for a future where the dreams of these young girls can become reality.
