International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) is a Global advocacy platform declared by the United Nations; it is also called the Day of Girl. October 11, 2012, was the first day that it was celebrated. This platform supports more opportunities for girls and increases awareness of gender inequality issues such as access to education, forced child marriage, female genital mutilation, sexual and gender-based violence, nutrition, legal rights, medical care, and protection from discrimination, faced by girls worldwide. International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) also engages decision-makers to increase the political priority of girls at global, national and local levels. The celebration of the day also reflects the successful emergence of girls and young women as a distinct cohort in development policy, programming, campaigning and research.
The girl child has been sidelined and limited to the backseat, taught to believe their self-worth only lies in accepting being second-grade citizens. At this year’s IDGC, Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) in collaboration with Anneozeng Ogozi Aid Foundation (AOAF) and Strong Enough Girls Empowerment Initiative (SEGEI), engaged critical stakeholders from the Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Secondary Education Board (SEB), Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), 6 schools Guidance and Counseling, Health teacher and School Based Management Committees (SBMCs) made up of school girls, PTA parents, community leaders, to have an impactful conversation with young people (especially girls), about the gaps and their needs as it relates to access to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) also known as Family Life and HIV/AIDS Education (FLHE) in Nigeria.
A panel at the event also examined the importance of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) also known as Family Life and HIV/AIDS Education (FLHE) in Nigeria, to the health and well-being of youths and the roles of critical stakeholders. The Founder of AOAF, Anneozeng Ogozi as a panelist, emphasized the part of parents providing a safe space at home for children to confide and share their worries. She also called on AHF and other funders to pay more attention to sensitizing parents at PTA meetings to promote knowledge of FLHE among parents, for the benefit of the children, and especially girls.
The session also advocated a national and global audience and the agencies in charge of determining what is being taught in schools to ensure CSE/FLHE is being taught effectively and address the challenges hindering its delivery to young people. It was also concluded that the issues discussed should be passed to parents and also added as a subject on its own in the school curriculum. Donations of free sanitary pads were made at this event.
As the world evolves, we at AOA Foundations will continue to play our part in creating more opportunities for the girl child to thrive.
Our We-Empower programs remain particularly centered around the betterment of young girls and women. Happy International Day of The Girl Child.