THE Progressive Youth Organization (PYO), youth arm of the ruling Peoples Progressive Party, hosted a candlelight vigil Monday evening to condemn the April 14 abduction of over 234 Nigerian schoolgirls by Abubakar Shekau, leader of the Boko Haram terrorist group in northeastern Nigeria.

The PYO has declared that attacking and abducting young girls simply for going to school is despicable, and must never be tolerated.

Further, the PYO said, all children deserve the opportunity to obtain an education without fear, and those responsible for the heinous crime of abducting the schoolgirls would be held accountable for their actions.

“When young girls and boys have equal access to educational resources, economies flourish, families are strengthened, and societies move forward,” the organisation declared.

The PYO registered its horror at reports that the kidnapped girls are being sold into child marriages for the mere act of seeking an education. The organisation condemned this practice as most despicable, saying that it may rob the girls of their dignity, health, and freedom.

The PYO said that targeting civilians, including children, in havens such as schools is awful, repulsive, unacceptable, and callous; and that all must condemn Boko Haram in Nigeria in the most forceful of terms.

The PYO vigil was held at the confluence of the Sheriff Street and Rupert Craig Highway. It was attended by First Lady Madame Deolatchmee Ramotar, Education Minister Ms. Priya Manickchand, Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, and PYO members.

Speaking at the vigil, Minister Manickchand said that the girls should be released. She said every girl deserves an education, and that Guyana will work with the international community that is campaigning for the return of the girls to their homes.

She declared that Guyanese need to see the importance of gender equality, and work harder to promote gender equality not only in Guyana, but throughout the world.

Minister Ramsammy said the world must stand up in solidarity, not only to bring back the girls, but to promote gender equality throughout the world.

“Every girl deserves an education. The girls must be taken back home, and the world must stand and campaign for this to happen,” the minister reiterated.
Written By Asif Hakim