Commission for Gender Equality’s calls for girls to be returned
The South African Commission for Gender Equality is shocked by the kidnapping in April of more than 200 girls by the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram, which has left anguished and distraught parents, guardians and communities wondering about the fate of their children.
According to Mfanozelwe Shozi, chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality, they have joined hands with other eminent organisations and leaders across in South Africa, the African continent and the world in calling for the immediate and safe return of these girls to their parents.
“We also call upon the global community, the African Union and its member States to bring collective political and moral authority as well as the necessary resources to assist the Nigerian government to take urgent action to ensure the safe return of these girls to their communities and their parents.
“We urge all the governments of the world that have signed up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and relevant global declarations or conventions such as the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), to observe the provisions of these declarations aimed at protecting and safeguarding the African girl child from harmful cultural and gender oppressive practices.
“Girl children all over the world are entitled to enjoy their human rights to dignity, security and secure futures through education.
“We further urge our religious leaders to stand up and be counted in this campaign to make the world a safe place for not only the girl child of Nigeria but for all girl children of the world.
“The CGE strongly supports ‘The Bring Back Our Girls Campaign’ being led by eminent persons across the globe and endorsed by various nations.
“We cannot allow our communities to be ruled by fear of terror. A strong message has to be sent that Boko Haram and other similar bodies have no place in communities and in the modern world.
“As the Commission for Gender Equality, we will continue in our endeavors to highlight the vulnerability of the African girl child by working through available forums across the continent to ensure that those whose rights and dignity we seek to advance in our daily programme are safeguarded.”
