The unknown burden of the girl-child and intervention programme designed to address this

Abstract

This paper discussed the problem of the unknown and unexpected burden of the girl-child, and the intervention programme developed to address it. The burden comprises peoples of all ages (such as the elderly, adult, children); social and economic problem, such as pregnancy (wanted or unwanted, planned or unplanned), street hawking, child trafficking, illiteracy and poverty; and diseases (such as HIV/AIDS, STDs). The purpose of this paper is to create awareness, especially for policymakers, government functionaries and, most importantly, the girl-child, so that appropriate legislative actions are taken and so that the girl child can make informed decision about her sexuality. In the course of the discourse, experiences will be shared, to identify girls who have been 'trapped' in the cycle of 'the unknown burden'. Various research findings have confirmed the reality of this burden: hence, the recommendations include the replication of programmes in many public schools across Nigeria so as to compile baseline data.