See bottom of page for updates to this article – last updated 14.7.2014
Soroptimist International of Nigeria is continuing to draw attention to the plight of over 200 schoolgirls abducted by militants from Chibok, in Borno State, Nigeria three weeks ago. Although some girls have managed to escape, most are still missing.
women groups, staged a protest march/ rally to the Lagos State
Governor’s office and delivered a signed petition calling on the Federal
Government of Nigeria to intensify their efforts in
ensuring that these girls are released unharmed and returned safely to
their families where they rightfully belong."
Islamist militant group Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the abduction, with leader Abubakar Shekau appearing in a video threatening to "sell" the hundreds of schoolgirls it abducted three weeks ago.
In a statement sent to several national newspapers, Soroptimist International of Nigeria have expressed fears that a recent increase in the number of girls attending school in the north of the country will be reversed.
"Soroptimist
International of Nigeria Association wishes to join other well
meaning groups/NGO in condemning the action of members of the Boko
Haram sect who abducted more than 200 girls from Government Girls
Secondary School, Chibok, Bornu. It is a worrisome and barbaric
development."
"It is very unfortunate and sad that this is
happening at a time when girl child education in the Northern part of
the Country is witnessing a boost and parents are now being motivated
to send their female children to school. If this trend is not stopped
now, the consciousness of the girl child education in the North will
be adversely affected"
"We advise that stringent security measures
should be put in place to protect the schools in the North. The girl
child must be given the opportunity to reach her optimal best in the
society. We therefore call on the insurgents to immediately release
the girls unconditionally and our Government to intensify efforts in
their bid to rescue the girls."
More information and updates
28 August 2014 – video update from campaigner Hadiza Bala Usman, interviewed at UN DPI/NGO conference in New York by former SI UN Rep Yoko Komori Olson. Hadiza reports that the whereabouts and situation of the girls is still unconfirmed, but 219 have still not returned to their families. She urges continued advocacy.
13 July 2014 – Malala pledges to help free girls on visit to Nigeria (Reuters). Pakistani rights activist Malala Yousafzai, who survived being shot in the head by the Taliban for campaigning for girls’ education, pledged while on a trip to Nigeria to help free a group of schoolgirls abducted by Islamist militants.
7 July 2014 – More than 60 women and girls abducted by Boko Haram are reported to have escaped (BBC News), but over 200 girls taken from their school in northern Nigeria are still missing 83 days after their mass abduction. Those who escaped are among 68 women and girls abducted last month near the town of Damboa in Borno state. Soroptimists in Nigeria and around the world continue to push for action to secure the release of all those abducted.
1 July 2014 – Nigerian Government report that the leader of a Boko Haram intelligence cell has been arrested (France24); Defense Ministry report that he was involved in the abduction of the Chibok girls.
30 June 2014 – Update from SI Nigeria National Association – More than 10 weeks since over 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped in Nigeria by Islamist group Boko Haram, the girls are still missing. These girls have not been forgotten, Soroptimist International Nigerian National Association President Funlola writes "I don’t know these girls, yet I am traumatised. Maybe not in the way their mothers are feeling, but the thought of these girls lost somewhere, is too much to bear. Every Monday SINA remembers them nationwide and we are all wearing yellow ribbons until they return which we pray will be soon."
6 Jun 2014 – Bring back our girls in Nigeria…but what then? (SoroptiVoice blog) – SI’s Head of Programme & Advocacy Reilly Dempsey highlights the shocking extent of violence faced by girls at school in many parts of the world and calls for action.
15 May 2014 – Young Soroptimist co-ordinates New Zealand awareness campaign (News)
9 May 2014 – Nigeria abduction is a horrific crime and a wake-up call for the world: Statement from International President Ann Garvie (News)
9 May 2014 – Every girl should go to school without fear #BringBackOurGirls (SoroptiVoice blog) – how global awareness and outrage can make a difference and what you can do to add your voice.
2 May 2014 – BringBackOurGirls – over 200 schoolgirls abducted in Nigeria (News)
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