International Day of Girl Child
The International Day of Girl Child is marked on 11th October every year which started in 2012; this year was themed ‘My voice, our equal future. It also significantly marked 25 years of the adoption of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and platform for action, which is one of the most detailed policy agendas against gender inequality. Annually, UNICEF launches campaigns with girls to amplify their voices and stand up for their rights. This yearly observance helps create more awareness of gender inequalities around the world. Every child has a right to grow up without any form of discrimination; they have the right to protection from any form of violence and abuse.
This year’s celebration saw low-key activities due to the devasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which disproportionately affected women and girls all around the world. In Nigeria, events planned out to mark the celebration were put on hold due to a peaceful protest in major states of the country. The protest which is termed the #EndSARS was triggered by alleged extrajudicial killings, unlawful detention, rape, high-handedness, extortion and assault by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), an arm of the Nigerian Police Force, on innocent Nigerians. Protesters called for the disbandment of this Police unit and the prosecution of faulting officers and total reform of the entire Police force. Although the International Day for Girl Child wasn’t fully celebrated in Nigeria, the month of October marked a new phase in Nigeria where young men and women stood together against police brutality, corruption, bad governance, insecurity, banditry, rape, extrajudicial killings and other forms of human rights violation and fight for a better and safe Nigeria for all. Just like the 2020 theme for International Day of Girl Child ‘’my voice, our equal future’’ the protest projected for a better future where lives for all are respected and protected.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also directly affected a large population of young girls; the closure of schools has increased girls’ vulnerability to physical and sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, child marriage and other forms of gender inequality/discrimination. Millions of girls are not certain of returning to school this year adding to a large population of girls who are already out of school. The restrictions imposed also limited access to essential health services including abortion.
According to the United Nations, there are 7.8 billion people who populate the world and 1.1 billion are girls. Sadly, many girls around the world are systematically denied their rights due to societal practices that have always placed girls at a disadvantage. Gender inequality is a century-old tradition that is still in practice in modern times. Patriarchal norms have always placed the girl child as inferior to a boy child. Girls have been subjected to domestic violence, female genital mutilation, child marriage, breast ironing, sexual abuse, dowry death, lack of proper education, lack of menstrual hygiene and access to sexual and reproductive health services; all these take place without consideration of the choice and right of the girl.
In recent years, we have seen the fantastic bravery and resilience of girls as active change-makers in society and there have been rising calls for national policies to end all forms of violence and discrimination against the girl child. The girl child has the potential to grow up to make positive changes in her society if she is well equipped. There should be social, economic and political equality between sexes and the creation of a world with equal opportunities.
Each time a girl child stands up for herself, she stands up for all girls.
Rahimasuleiman 