Should Girls Rights Be Themed?
October 10by Ruhamah Ifere
Everything has a purpose, but not all purpose is known, and when purpose is not known, the abuse is inevitable.
I have pondered on the theme for this year’s International Day of the Girl Child and realized that indeed there is a purpose for the theme. According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, a theme is: ‘’A subject or topic of discourse or of artistic representation.’’
The 2024 theme for the International Day of the Girl Child is ‘’Girls’ Vision for The Future’’. This year’s theme conveys both the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future. This year’s theme provides stakeholders with the opportunity to collaboratively create awareness on issues affecting girls.
It is 2024 and the rights of women and girls are still being threatened in the society. Whilst we acknowledge the victories achieved despite pushbacks, we cannot continue to ignore the fact that there is still more work to be done.
- Today, one in five young women aged between 20 and 24 years were married as children.
- Nearly one in four partnered/married adolescent girls have experienced sexual or physical abuse.
- Globally, 75% of new HIV infections among adolescents occur in girls.
- One in three adolescent girls suffers from anaemia, which is a form of malnutrition.
- Almost double the number of adolescent girls (one in four) compared to boys are not in any form of education, employment or training.
Now, this begs the question: “What is our vision for the future of girls?” and “How can their voices be heard so they are not left behind?”
This is how the purpose of the International Day of the Girl Child can be promoted through actionable steps to reduce the inequality in our society.
