London, October 11th, 2024 — The International Day of the Girl Child is dedicated to amplifying the voices and rights of girls worldwide. This year’s theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” serves as a reminder of the strength, resilience, and aspirations of over 1.17 billion girls under the age of 18, as reported by UNICEF in 2023. Unfortunately, despite their potential, these girls continue to face severe violations of their human rights in the very communities they call home.
From domestic violence and sexual abuse to denial of education, period poverty, and security challenges, girls are still subjected to numerous obstacles that hinder their development. The societal constructs in which they grow up often limit their opportunities, dictating their roles and aspirations from an early age. For instance, while boys might receive toy guns as gifts, girls are often given dolls—reinforcing traditional gender roles and expectations. Girls’ visions for the future should not be confined to beauty pageants but should encompass ambitions like excelling in science, finance, or any other discipline, on an equal footing with boys.
The world must provide an equitable playing field for both genders. The common saying, “Behind every successful man is a woman,” insinuates that a woman’s place is secondary, often undermining her own potential. Girls and boys are born equally, and neither is subordinate to the other. Instead of standing behind, women deserve to stand beside men—in partnership and equality. This is a message we must instill in our girls early on to help shape their visions for a better future.
As Queen of Ayegbe Kingdom, I am committed to supporting girls in both urban and rural communities by providing them with essential resources to meet their daily needs. Period poverty is one such barrier, often preventing girls from attending school due to a lack of access to menstrual products. To address this, my King, HRM Oba Olusola Michael Eniolapo, Apenaola I of Ayegbe Kingdom, has generously donated 50 hectares of land to the Queen’s Royal Charity. This land will be used as farmland for cultivating edible plants, with women and girls as the primary farmers—empowering them to learn agricultural skills for survival and self-sufficiency.
I am deeply grateful for this support, which will help uplift girls in our community. By addressing period poverty and providing educational opportunities, we aim to ensure that all girls can at least complete secondary education. We know that abused girls grow into abused women, which is why Ayegbe Kingdom is partnering with organizations and philanthropists, such as The Ishola Empire and the International Human Rights Commission, to guarantee the right to education for girls in underserved communities.
Our hope is that through these collaborations, we can improve the vision for the future of every girl child, ensuring that they grow up with the confidence and opportunities they deserve.
Reported:
HRM Queen Adesewa I of Ayegbe Kingdom
(Princess Dr. Yewande Okunoren-Oyekenu)
Queen and Global Health Ambassador of Ayegbe Kingdom
IHRC Ambassador in the United Kingdom and Multinational Volunteers Coordinator
for the Special Monitoring Mission of the International Human Rights Commission,
United Kingdom and North America Region.
This is great.i think it will protect the most vulnerable and help them raise their voices.it keep on reminding the challenges faced by the girls.
This is very good and I believe is a great way to protect them as they are still vulnerable.
This is very good and I believe is a great way to protect them as they are still vulnerable
This day is a powerful reminder of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by girls worldwide. It’s a day to celebrate their achievements, advocate for their rights, and empower them to envision and create a brighter future. By investing in girls’ education, health, and well-being, we can unlock their full potential and build a more equitable and just world for all.
نعم ان حق المرآه مكفول لدى المجتمعات وان غاب فعلينا ان نكن الصوت الذى يسترده بما نص به القانون للحفاظ علي جميع حقوقها
This article effectively highlights the challenges faced by girls worldwide and emphasizes the importance of creating equal opportunities for all genders. It is essential to address the rights and aspirations of girls seriously through global collaborations.
This is very good
This is so wonderful. Promoting girl child’s rights I believe is a great way to protect them as they are still vulnerable. I really appreciate and encourage all those who are involved in this cause.
This is so wonderful. Promoting girl child’s rights I believe is a great way to protect them as they are still vulnerable