UNICEF, partners celebrate Int’l Day of the Girl

The session availed girls the platform to discuss issues that are important to them, including girls’ education, violence against girls, online harassment, among other topics.   

The International Day of the Girl (IDG) – observed annually on 11th October is a global platform to advocate for the full spectrum of girls’ rights. This year’s theme was: “Invest in Girls’ Right: Our Leadership and Wellbeing.”

Speaking at the forum, Bintou Fatty, director of Children at the Ministry of Women, Gender and Social Welfare said the day focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights by creating safe spaces for their survival, protection and development.

She added that adolescent girls have the right to a safe environment, education and a healthy life, ‘not only during these critical formative years but also as they mature into women’.

“If girls are effectively supported during their adolescent years, they have the potential to change the world - both as empowered girls of today and as tomorrow's workers and mothers,” she said.

Awa Mary Lowe-Khan, executive director of Woman Boss said that International Day of the Girl should not only be celebrated, adding that they should also find ways and means to invest in girls. “Let us invest in our young girls because if you educate a girl she will likely educate her children,” she said.

Maria Vittoria Ballotta, UNICEF representative said “This year, at a time when we are seeing a range of movements and actions to curtail girls’ and women’s rights and roll back progress on gender equality, we see particularly harsh impacts on girls.”

“Many girls are facing violence around the world and not all girls have the opportunity to celebrate this day. Some are in very difficult moments,” Ballotta stated.

She added that they cannot move their agenda without men and boys because they work together in developmental processes.

Honorable Adama Demba, deputy speaker of the Children National Assembly expressed happiness in witnessing the celebration. She noted that girls should not be left out in leadership roles and the decision-making processes, thereby calling on stakeholders to always engage and listen to girls.