Everything in this post was personally written by: @fehintola.
As posted on my blog https://www.girliefix.com
Today, the 11th day of October is marked yearly as the International Day of The Girl Child as declared by the United Nations (UN). It is also called the Day of Girls, and the first Day of Girls was October 11, 2012. It is a day to advocate and sensitize people about the rights and opportunities for girls all over the world.
This day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights, says The UN.
I would like to use this opportunity to pass a message to all girls around the world and the society in general.
GIRLS ARE NOT THE WEAK ONES
Some people say “what a man can do, a woman can do better.” Well, that’s not always true. Let’s therefore rephrase it to “what a man can do, a woman can do also.” “- if she gets support and is determined to do it.”
Let’s look into the aspect of education; in many primary, secondary, and higher education classrooms, we find out that girls have better grades and results than boys. This shouldn’t be too surprising as these days, we also have women doing jobs that only men used to do in times past, we have women as CEOs of big organizations, we have women doctors & surgeons, women presidents, women pilots, women scientists & technologists among so many others that are performing excellently in their respective fields of study. So, what’s our society saying? What makes anyone think that girls are weak? It is we girls that would grow to be these women in the future.
NO MORE GENDER DISCRIMINATION! WE HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS WITH THE MALES.
To the society, we need to eliminate all forms of discrimination against the girl child and the root causes of son preference. We must break all barriers to allow girls develop their full potential and skills through equal access to education, empowerment, training, physical and psychological care.
We still have some countries and many regions of the world where girls are denied their rights to education. Their parents think that sponsoring a girl child’s education is a total waste of money and time. They believe that the destiny of a girl is to get married, take care of their husband and give them grandchildren; they have shaped the future of the girl into the life of the man whom she will get married to. Why are they being so shallow-minded?
Girls can be great if they are given the opportunity and support they ought to receive. Earlier, I mentioned the fact that we there are some women who strived to be great and they are great. We have the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Sheryl Sanberg, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and many other great women!!
END SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST GIRLS NOW!
Sadly, our girls are the ones that are abused with all kinds of violence, particularly sexual violence – especially rape, trafficking, and early marriage – resulting in forced sex and labor.
The UN states that more than 15 million girls aged 15 to 19 give birth each year. Motherhood at a very young age entails complications during pregnancy and delivery, and a higher risk of maternal death.
Many young girls are being married off by their parents in exchange for money, especially in many developing and under-developed countries; this is more like selling out your girl child! These parents expose these immature girls to various problems they probable don’t understand. In Nigeria, this early & forced child marriage is seen common in the Northern states of the country.
Let’s talk about rape. We all know how bad, and devastating rape can be in the life of the girl victim. What are we doing to end this and reduce its occurrences in our societies? Let our community leaders, rulers and the Government put in very strict rules against people guilty for rape.
WE ARE GIRLS, WE HAVE A VOICE, AND WE DESERVE TO BE HEARD!
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See it on my blog: https://www.girliefix.com/2018/10/the-international-day-of-the-girl-child.html
Much love!