Ensuring girls are not left behind

BY FUNMI FALOBI

The Initiative for Social Impact and Sustainable Development (ISISD) joined the rest of the world to celebrate girls, in commemoration of the world’s celebration of the 2023 International Girls’ Day, celebrated annually on October 11.

This year’s theme, Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being, is quite instructive as ISISD believes that girls should not be left behind in the era of leadership and technology innovation if we want gender equality to thrive.

ISISD therefore is calling on the government and other stakeholders to invest in leadership rights and remove every barrier to digital literacy for girls so that they are able to compete favourably in the technology age.

No doubt the world now revolves around technology and it is important our girls are not left behind in this innovative drive to thrive and fulfil their potential. We must invest in leadership rights for girls and they must be encouraged to take up leadership roles early in life which will boost societal well-being. Although we have reached a point where we recognise this day as International Girls’ Day, much still needs to be done to improve the lives of girls.

It is important to note that digital literacy will enable girls to use digital platforms and resources to find, evaluate, and obtain information which would help students become lifelong learners and help engage them in the process of acquiring academic skills as well as staying connected and be informed about the things that are revolving around society.

Digital literacy enhances both formal and informal learning, and it is important that young girls are digitally literate so that they are empowered and their confidence and self-esteem are boosted in decision-making, and healthy-conscious living, among others. Investing in the rights of girls will also help to improve their leadership skills and their well-being.

However, as good as technology is for the good of all, there are some challenges with it, which may be inimical to the growth and development of the girl child. Thus, while technology brings an open window for the development of the potential of the girl child, care should be taken to guide the girl child from being a victim of manipulated tendencies through online gender-based violence.

To celebrate this year’s Girls’ Day, ISISD engaged girls in Abeokuta, Ogun state, to make them aware of their potential and the need for them to believe in themselves in order to take up leadership roles in society.

The International Day of the Girl Child is an annual and internationally recognised event celebrated on October 11 that empowers girls and amplifies their voices. Like its adult version, International Women’s Day celebrated on March 8, the International Day of the Girl Child acknowledges the importance, power, and potential of adolescent girls by encouraging the opening up of more opportunities for them.

At the same time, this day is designated to eliminate gender-based challenges that little girls face around the world, including child marriages, poor learning opportunities, violence, and discrimination.

Falobi is the coordinator of the Initiative for Social Impact and Sustainable Development (ISISD).