Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala, has called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, prioritise investment in protecting the Nigerian girl-child.
In a statement, she said her journey to stardom has been a testament to hard work, resilience and a bit of good fortune, add not every girl is that lucky.
In a UNICEF report, she said that six out of every ten children in Nigeria experience some forms of violence and within that, one in four girls has been a victim of sexual violence.
“For us in sports, the statistics are even more alarming, she said as a UNESCO report found that 21% of female athletes have endured some form of sexual abuse as children in sport,” she said
“When I lace up my boots, I carry more than just the weight of my team on my shoulders; I carry the dreams of every little girl who sees a part of herself in me. My journey has been a testament to hard work, resilience, and a bit of good fortune, especially in having the right people guide me.
“But I know, with all my heart, that not every girl is as lucky. The path to becoming a professional athlete, or simply a confident young woman, is full of potential pitfalls—and too often, the very places meant to nurture talent become sites of pain.
“This is why, for me, safeguarding is not just a policy; it’s a sacred promise. It’s the assurance that a girl stepping onto a football pitch or into a classroom feels secure, seen, and protected. It is the belief that her dreams are too precious to be broken by fear,” she stressed.
“At the Asisat Oshoala Academy, thanks to our incredible partners, Nike and Women Win, we have made safeguarding a foundational pillar of our work. Our policy isn’t just a document; it’s a living system of protection, making us one of Nigeria’s foremost, if not the first, female football academies to prioritize this with such a robust approach. We believe our girls’ talent can only truly flourish when their safety is non-negotiable.”
She further urged the Federal Government to create legislation that makes safeguarding a constitutional requirement for organizations, especially those responsible for shaping children’s (including girls) future, rather than a luxury, embed safeguarding policies into institutions, with clear, actionable procedures for prevention, reporting, and response, invest in training for coaches, teachers, and staff to recognize, prevent, and address abuse in all its forms.
She also called on the economic managers to create confidential, survivor-centred reporting mechanisms that build trust and ensure every voice is heard without fear of reprisal.
“Let’s ensure that every young girl, just like the ones at my academy, knows that the playing field is not just a place for her dreams, but a place where she is fully protected.
“Every girl deserves the right to a safe pitch, a safe classroom, and a safe path to her dreams. Safeguarding is not charity; it is justice. It is the promise we make to the next generation that their potential will not be dimmed by fear or harm. Let us keep that promise,” she added.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
