Ogun Celebrates International Girl’s Child Day

ABEOKUTA – Children, especially girl-child has been advised to make themselves relevant anywhere they find themselves and should not be intimidated, always speak out when faced with any challenge in life.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon Oluwafunmilayo Efuwape gave this advise at the Sagamu Zone celebration of the year 2020 International Day of the Girl Child, with the theme, “My Voice: Our Equal future”.

Speaking on the theme, the Commissioner noted that it was a call on everyone to amplify the voices of adolescent girls and put their needs at the fore-front of laws, policies and practices in every country and community around the world.

According to her, women and girls face different types of issues around the world everyday. From discrimination, to domestic violence, sexual abuse, among others, adding that it was left to the girl child to speak out in the midst of challenges and never allow herself to be intimidated.

In her lecture at the event, Dr Tope Olaifa who spoke on the topic: “The Powering the Voice of the Girl Child”, said every girl child should not allow themselves to be marginalised through their voices, they were not to allow anybody to make them inferior, rather be bold to face life challenges, in order to compete with their men counterparts.

Some of the participants at the event said the theme for the 2020 celebration has opened their eyes and mind to the fact that, they don’t need to keep quite, no matter the situation they find themselves, adding that, they should be fully prepared to face the future and to make a positive impact on their generation.

Subsequently, at Ilaro, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Olaleye, encouraged every girl child to abstain from all forms of social vises, but rather be a good role model to others and the society at large.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Melucia Ogunremi at the Abeokuta Zone of the commemoration of the Girl Child Day urged the children in the state to speak up and let their voices be heard.

She said at Abeokuta Grammar School, venue of the event that with the statistics at hand, there has been increase reports of rape, violence and abuse of girl child, urging them to act as agent of change and replicate what they were thought today for effectiveness of the programme.

In her own lecture, the Guest Speaker, Mrs. Dare Joyce educated the students on what was meant by “My Voice, Our Equal Future” as not just the vocal sound, but also their self esteem, dignity, confidence and self worth that would give the vocal voice the confidence to call for a change where necessary.

She added that a girl child is unique, valuable and a rear one of its kind that should not allow anyone refer to her as ‘ordinary girl’, saying equal future awaits both boy and girl child, if the girl child would not misuse her given opportunity.

The International Girl Child Day, was celebrated in three different centres across the three Senatorial Districts of the State.