NATIONAL Population Commission (NPC) has concluded plans to digitalise its operations in the area of data collection that will bring about informed policies for the welfare of women and girls in Nigeria.
The Federal Commissioner representing Anambra State in the Commission, Mr. Chidi Ezeoke made this known in Awka during a media conference organised to commemorate 2020 World Population Day.
World Population Day (WPD) was marked as part of international awareness campaign that celebrated annually to beam global attention to the urgency and importance of population issues in the world.
The day was used for stock taking as it concerns population, especially, that of women and girls and thereby determine the way forward in ensuring their fundamental human rights are upheld.
Ezeoke who was represented by the State Director of the Commission, Mr. Joachim Ulasi said the Commission was in the final stage of digitisation of vital and civil registration system with the procurement and deployment of computers, tablets, generators and other logistics to the twenty-one Local Government Areas of the state.
He noted that the theme for this year’s World Population Day “How To Safeguard The Health And Rights Of Women and Girls Now” was apt since the world was saddled with the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic and its damaging consequences especially on vulnerable individuals .
According to him, women were mostly affected by the pandemic in the areas of unwanted pregnancies, rape, physical and emotional assault, early marriage, gender based violence amongst others.
He also, highlighted numerous programmes initiated by the Commission to assist in mitigating practices that negates the rights of women and girls.
The Federal Commissioner said they would continue to collaborate with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other development partners, NGOs, Ministries, Department and Agencies of government to generate data meant to address cases of women’s health, sexual harassment through surveys and research.
BY SUNNY A. DAVID
