Human Rights: Seadogs pursue girls rights, gender equality

THE National Association of Seadogs (NAS) has made pursuit of girls' right, gender equality and equity one of it's top priorities.

The group called for every necessary action to be taken in upholding human rights as everyday essentials.

NAS made the call, on Thursday, in commemoration of the 2025 World Human Rights Day, that dwelt on "Girls Rights and Gender Equality" as this year's theme.

Cap'n of Enugu chapter, Mr. Oseloka Egbuchiem, said that the theme is reflective of the role of the girl child in community building, noting that the group believes in educating and strengthening the girl child and building a nation.

He pointed that gender equity is as essential as gender equality because after informing the girl child of her rights, the society owes her a level playing field to fully enjoy them.

As part of a long drawn celebration, the chapter held a special interactive session with students and teachers of Solid Base Secondary School, Enugu. 

The session stressed that when boys and girls support each other, the whole school grows, families grow, and society becomes better.

Egbuchiem explained that the session with "pre-teens and teenagers is to stress the importance of inculcating such awareness in children early in life. 

"We believe that when they become aware of gender rights at this stage of their education, they will be in a better position to handle life choices in the future."

A mentor, relationship and marriage counselor, and the guest speaker, Mrs. Onyinye Chux-Orji noted that the session was not only for the girls but for everyone, saying that when girls succeed, families, communities, and nations succeed.

"When boys and girls support each other, the whole school grows, families grow, and society becomes better."

According to her, "equality is not giving girls and boys the same life; it is giving them the same chances because gender equality is not a fight between boys and girls; it is teamwork."

Noting that "it's up to us to create a future where every boy and every girl can shine and there is mutual respect," she said that "when a girl is empowered, a family is uplifted and a community transform."

The proprietress of the school and legal practitioner, Mrs Tessy Igweani commended the novelty of the program and observed that the theme "resonates with the school's motto, which is "Excellence In Character And Learning."

"We believe that anything one does without character is without substance. Character enables and strengthens learning."

She promised that the school will "ensure that the students continue with what they have learnt today, and live by the affirmative allegiance the boys took today to respect the girls."