Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello, to the House. I support fully the cross-party motion before the House and seek to impress on the Minister of State the importance of assisting in the matter as much as possible.

It is heartening to see the widespread condemnation of this terrorist act and the involvement of the international community in pressuring and assisting the Nigerian Government to secure the release of the children. I would prefer not to lend further recognition to this terrorist organisation by using its name. It has received the notoriety it seeks already. The group purported to be responsible for the crime opposes so-called Western education and is vehemently opposed to the education of women and girls. Estimates vary as to the number of young girls who have been abducted. The figure hovers between 250 and 270, with approximately 230 girls still being held captive.

These young people were abducted from their boarding school in the middle of the night on 14 April 2014, apparently on two grounds: first, being female; and, second, attending school. The importance of all children receiving this opportunity is well established internationally. Many international surveys, reports and institutions recognise that female education and women contributing to the economy is important if countries are to grow sustainably. A large section of Nigeria's population of 168.8 million are under the age of 18. This generation are actively being harassed and targeted by this terrorist organisation for attending school. The education of this young generation, specifically these young women, is important to push forward gender equality in Nigeria. Education or its denial have often been used throughout history as a tool to oppress women and other sections of society. The tool is still being used. By standing strong as a Seanad and a nation with our international partners, we can demand change and show our support not only for these young girls but for all young people who are denied equal opportunities and rights.

Currently, more than 200 girls are being held captive. It now appears that their captors will use them as a means of leverage with the Nigerian Government for an exchange of prisoners. This heart-breaking use of children has awoken the larger international community to the realities that face women, girls and the Nigerian nation as a whole on a daily basis. I welcome the fact that the Nigerian Government has accepted assistance from the United States of America, Britain, China, France and Israel in the search. I am greatly disappointed in the immediate response to the issue but welcome that action is finally being taken. That has resulted from the international outrage expressed over the last number of weeks.

By adding our voices here today, we join a wider international movement that condemns not only terrorism but inequality. We will be sending a message to the young people of Nigeria that we support them and their right to access education. Most importantly, we will be making the statement that the young girls still being held captive are important and are not forgotten. The international voice I spoke about earlier has already succeeded in sparking action on the matter and raising awareness. I hope sincerely for the safe return of each and every girl to her family and loved ones as soon as possible.