The First Lady of Abia State, Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti, has sounded a strong warning over the growing exploitation of vulnerable girls.
Speaking at a high-level side event during the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, she said the challenge of advancing women’s rights lies not in global commitments, but in translating them into real change at the local level.
Otti noted that poverty and inequality in local communities were fuelling disturbing practices such as “baby factories,” where young girls were forced into pregnancies and their babies sold.
“In the most heartbreaking cases, young girls are recruited into so-called ‘baby factories,’ where they are forced to carry pregnancies and their babies are sold sometimes for as little as N200,000. Imagine that, a young girl going through pregnancy and childbirth for the price of a few Uber rides,” she said.
While drawing the link between poverty and vulnerability, Otti explained that many young girls seeking domestic work do so not as a career choice, but as a temporary survival strategy, often exposing them to abuse and unsafe conditions.
“When poverty tightens its grip, many things can go wrong. Some girls delay their education. Some are pushed into unsafe relationships. Others become victims of trafficking and exploitation,” she stated.
She stressed that economic empowerment must be treated as a form of protection, not just policy.
“Economic empowerment is not just development policy, it is protection. When a woman is economically empowered, she is better able to protect herself, support her family, and contribute meaningfully to her community,” she said.
While highlighting efforts by the administration of Governor Alex Otti, the First Lady said Abia State is taking deliberate steps to strengthen systems that protect women and girls.
These include the establishment of the Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Centre, a one-stop facility providing medical care, psychosocial support, legal services, and financial assistance for survivors of sexual violence.
The state has also introduced a Sexual Offenders Register and strengthened legal frameworks to ensure accountability.
“As Chair of the Gender-Based Violence Response Committee, I remain personally committed to strengthening systems that prevent violence and support survivors,” she said.
Otti called on governments, development partners, and civil society to intensify efforts in expanding access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for women and girls.
“Progress requires sustained action. It requires strong partnerships, bold leadership, and a shared commitment to ensuring that policies and programmes translate into real impact. Let us move beyond promises and declarations. Let us transform global commitments into local results,” she said.
While reaffirming her vision, Otti said the goal is to build a future where every woman and girl can live with dignity and realise her full potential.
“Together, we can ensure that the future of women and girls is defined by dignity, opportunity, equality, and hope,” she said.
