PROTECTION PRACTICES INFLUENCING GIRL-CHILD LEVEL OF EMPOWERMENT IN SELECTED AGRARIAN COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA

摘要: Assumptions about capabilities of females and males result in different opportunities, access to resources benefits. The study assessed the existing pattern girl-child protection practices prevailing socio-cultural that affect her level empowerment.  Multistage sampling technique was employed. Four United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) assisted States namely Oyo, Enugu, Kaduna Bauchi as well Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja were purposively selected. Three Local Government Areas (LGAs) selected from each four based on food production, while one Area council Abuja.  One community randomly chosen LGAs.  Ten girls, boys adults 13 communities give a total 390 respondents. Data analysed using both descriptive statistics (percentages frequency) Pearsons Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Only 68.20% respondents between 10 20 years 38.72 had no formal education.  Significant relationship exists Oyo State only western type education (r=0.02) empowerment girl child. In Enugu State, significant exist health care provision (r=0.22), nutritional (r=0.32), parental support/care physical abuse (r=0.30), difficult circumstances (r=0.35) their (r=0.38). practices, with male preference (r=-0.30), early marriage (r=-0.24) FCT, (r=-0.44) female subordination (r=-0.56) express empowerment. Access child such education, provision, care, support, discrimination basis gender removal constraints lack inheritance rights, taboo would enable maximize potentials. socialization process needs be modified eradicate division labour.