Today, IPPF Africa Region joins the rest of the world in celebrating the International Day of the Girl Child. This is a day dedicated to the promotion of the rights of the girl child, a day to highlight the ever-increasing disparities that exist between boys and girls, as well as address the various gender inequalities that limit the potential of girls. On this day, we renew our sustained commitment to uplifting the status of the girl child and eliminating the numerous barriers she faces. Today, we prioritize discussions around addressing issues of child marriage, female genital mutilation, child labor, sex trafficking, gender-based violence and denial of access to sexual reproductive health and rights information and services which millions of girls across the world face each day.
In IPPF Africa Region, the girl child and her empowerment is central to our work. This is because of our firm belief that investment in girls is a win for her family, her society, her country, and the entire African continent. When a girl stays in school and completes her education, when she is empowered with information to make healthy and informed decisions about her sexuality, when she is facilitated to reach her full potential, all this translates into gains for the entire community. Indeed, studies show that women reinvest up to 90 per cent of their incomes back into their families. Isn’t this great?
Today, I would like to encourage all and sundry to renew their focus and commitment to addressing the plight of the girl child. This is for the simple reason that given the necessary support and encouragement, the millions of girls in our continent are more than able to lead us to the ‘Africa we Want’. I therefore call on rededicated efforts to advancing the rights and status of the girl child at the local, national and regional levels. Let us be their champions. Let us be their voices and ensure that no girl is left behind.
I do take note of the fact that significant gains have been made with regard to the African girl child in recent years. However, a lot more still needs to be done. African girls still face plenty of barriers to the realization of their rights. We still witness retrogressive cultural practices, poverty, ignorance, exploitation and male domination. However, through our collective efforts, I am convinced that change for Africa’s girls will be realized. We will see our daughters soar in previously male-dominated fields such as those in science, architecture, engineering and technology. We will see our daughters scale heights in the corporate world, as well as establish and run their own thriving businesses. We will see our daughters take up more leadership roles –including running for elective political seats.
Let us invest in noble initiatives that will accelerate our progress to attaining successes for the African girl child. The African Citizens Initiative is one such example that demonstrates passion and commitment to Africa’s daughters. I encourage you to give towards this honourable cause. Let us stay together to promote the rights of the girl child.
I wish you all a happy International Day of the Girl Child 2016.
Mr. Lucien Kouakou is the IPPF Africa Region Director
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