By Oluseye Ojo
In a bid to tackle the escalating rates of unplanned pregnancies and gender-based violence in Nigeria, child rights advocate Amb. Tolu Taiwo, has launched the Twenty-one Five Child Foundation (T1FF) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
During the launch event, Taiwo drew attention to the critical need for urgent action to address the root causes of the pressing issues, citing statistics from the National Population Commission and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.
She stated that approximately 400,000 unplanned births occur annually in Nigeria, with half of these births affecting young girls aged 15 to 19, adding that between 2020 and 2023, Nigeria reported a staggering 27,698 cases of gender-based violence, with 1,145 cases resulting in fatalities.
Taiwo, the founder of T1FF, expressed the foundation’s vision to alleviate the physical and mental suffering being faced by teenage pregnant girls in the society. She stressed the organisation’s mission to provide support services for pregnant teenage girls and survivors of gender-based violence while actively working to prevent future occurrences through education, advocacy, and community engagement.
Calling for collective action, Taiwo urged individuals from all sectors to join hands in creating a safer and more inclusive society for all. She also emphasised the importance of education, stakeholder engagement, and community involvement in combatting the prevalent issues of teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence in Nigeria.
“As we embark on this journey, I urge each and every one of you to join us in our mission to create a safer, more inclusive society for all. Whether you are a government official, a community leader, a healthcare provider, a student, or a concerned citizen, there is a role for you to play in this important work,” said Taiwo.
She said T1FF aimed to make a significant impact in transforming the landscape of child rights protection in Nigeria with a clear focus on building a future, where every young girl and boy has the opportunity to thrive without fear of violence, discrimination, or stigma,
Highlights of the programme included a keynote address delivered by a legal luminary, Ms Omotola Olugbodi, on the laws surrounding child rights, as well as cutting of cake, musicals, and goodwill messages.