International Day of the Girl Child, ‘My Voice: Our Equal Future’.
Chima Azubuike
No fewer than 70 girls on Saturday, in Ibeju Lekki Lagos, benefitted a two month free sanitary packs and hygiene kits while commemorating the just concluded International Day of the Girl Child, with the theme ‘My Voice: Our Equal Future’.
According to the Executive Director, Piece of the Heart Foundation, Adebimpe Adebara, the event which is usually held every October 11 was postponed due to the civil unrest, adding that the International Day of the Girl Child acknowledges and emphasises on the potentials of young girls across the world.
Adebara said the event is focused on comprehensive Sex Education, Gender-based Violence, Mental Health, and Female Genital Mutilation.
“Discrimination and violence against girls and violation of their human rights still happen. This makes it important for us to continue raising awareness about the challenges that millions of girls face every day. It wouldn’t just end today; we will continue to protect women and girls and amplify their voices,” she said.
While appraising the efforts of her organization in intercepting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 which is promoting Gender Equality Adebara added that, “We have an unwavering desire to educate, and enlighten young people about sex and their sexuality, and empower them to be the best they can be in life and in their chosen fields of endeavour.
“There is this inclination for the female folk, especially young girls, most of whom struggle with a lot of challenges ranging from sexual abuse and exploitation to poor self-esteem.
“It was this passion to empower young girls that spurred the foundation into partnering with another amazing NGO, Precious Vessels Foundation, to mark the International Day of the Girl Child 2020.”
Also Speaking, Mrs. Precious Okpala, the Founder of Precious Vessels Foundation, called for more collaborative efforts geared towards girl child empowerment, noting the gulf in the community where the programme was held.
She said, “a lot of girls are underserved in this community and there is need for more interventions to deliberately reach out to these girls.”
