The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that the girl-child needs a voice to build a future wherein her right will be protected.
Celine Lafoucriere, Chief, UNICEF Field Office for South-West Nigeria, said this in a statement in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl-Child, observed every Oct. 11.
The theme of the 2024 edition is: ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future’.
Lafoucriere described Oct. 11 as a key global moment to celebrate girls and amplify their voices, actions and leadership.
She said that the day also belonged to everyone who cared about girls.
According to her, too many girls are being left behind, confronted by extreme challenges that deny them their rights, restrict their choices and limit their futures.
“Taking action to advocate for the full spectrum of girls’ rights, when girls achieve their goals we all move closer to achieving our global goals.
“Evidence shows that with the right support, resources and opportunities, the potential of girls around the world is limitless.
“This year’s theme ”Girls’ Vision for the Future” is apt, it reflects the findings from a UNICEF analysis, which shows that girls are not only courageous in the face of challenges, but hopeful for the future.
“We see girls taking action every day to realise the vision of a world where all girls are protected, respected and empowered.
“My response is that being a girl shouldn’t determine what you can do, where you can go, or who you can become, but right now, that is the reality for millions of girls across the world,” she said.
The UNICEF chief said that one in every five young women, aged 20 years to 24 years, were married out.
She said that one in four partnered/married adolescent girls had also experienced sexual or physical abuse.
According to her, globally, 75 per cent of new HIV infections among adolescents occur in girls, one in three adolescent girls suffer from anemia, 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,” she said.
