“Empower Girls for a Brighter Future”- UN POLAC Director Urges Leaders
Oru Leonard
As the World celebrate international day of girl child,The Director Women & Children in United Nations POLAC
and the founder of HOPE AGLOW Charity Foundation ,Amb. Mrs. Cynthia Amaka Obiorah has called on leaders at all levels to initiate programs aimed at supporting girl’s education and empowerment as well as stop girl child marriage.
Speaking at Ferdeta international school in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to mark this year’s international day of girl child, Amb Obiorah who is also Associate Professor of Occupational Health Safety and Environment stressed the need for collective commitment towards empowering girls, amplifying their voices and address harmful gender stereotypes.
“International Day of the Girl Child
Observed annually on 11 October, is a key global moment on which girls and girls right are celebrated everywhere, celebrating their essence, amplifying their voices, talking and making visible positive effects on their wholistic health, education, leadership and their fundamental human rights.
“The Beijing Declaration In 1995, at the World Conference on Women, being the first time that girls’ rights were specifically mentioned
“Furthermore, on the 19th of December 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.
She emphasized the significance of investing in our girls in realising the power of adolescent girls upholds their rights today,promises a more equitable and prosperous future, in which everyone is an equal partner in solving the problems of global warming and climate change, political conflicts in the world,
crime and violence, economic growth , disease prevention, and global sustainability.
“Girls like Malala Yousafzai (known for her bravery) , Greta Thunberg ( climate activist) and few others are breaking boundaries and barriers posed by stereotypes and exclusion mainly caused by culture, religion, especially in the third word countries…Amb Obiorah said..
While highlighting some of the challenges being faced by girl child,Dr Cynthia Obiorah called for attitudinal change towards addressing the menace.
” Despite progress, girls continue to face
Limited access to education, Forced marriages and child labor, Gender-based violence and discrimination among others but we can break the barriers and change the narratives by Educating girls,
Providibg safe spaces for girls to thrive,Amplifying girls’ voices in leadership by inclusion and fighting
harmful gender stereotypes.
” Governments should enact policies protecting girls’ rights.,Community Leaders should Support girls’ education,empowerment programs and stop girl child marriage ”
“Empowered girls of today are tomorrow’s mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders, teachers, innovators, and initiators of global movements
They are the leaders, innovators, and positive, progressive, and sustainable change-makers of tomorrow.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Head of Ferdeta international school,Mrs Uyai Umuokoro commended the commitment of UN POLAC and Algow foundation for timely intervention and pledged their continued commitment in advocating for the protection of girls and boys right.
“Together, we can create a world where every girl and boy have access to quality education,Lives free from violence and fear.
Leads with confidence and purpose,
“Today, we honor and celebrate every girl child who is brave enough to defy odds and pursue dreams.” Mrs Umuokoro added
The 2024 International Day of the Girl theme is ‘Girls’ vision for the future’. which seeks to emphasize the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future
