In a world where many cultures and society relegate the female sex to the background, the international day of the girl for this year 2020, which is marked on 11th October yearly, focuses on girls amplifying their voices to take hold of the future with the theme: "My voice, our equal future."
While there is still the debate of women and girls' social inclusion to attain gender equality, girls must not allow themselves to be relegated to the background but must find their voices; they must speak up and speak out.
SHADE-IN has been committed to ensuring that both boys and girls function in their place and have given them the chance to express themselves as equal partners through her teen and youth-focused programmes. We have raised boys to speak up and speak out even on issues relating to girls as well as girls to also speak out. We will continue to provide a platform for both sexes and especially the girls, who are the most marginalised to speak up and speak out to attain an equal future.
On a day like this, we recall the painful incidences of the Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu, Uwaila Omozuwa and every other girl who have been a victim of injustice, who although have yet not received justice, their silenced voices still speak for justice. They and the incidences surrounding their cases will continue to raise their voices until justice is served and every girl is given the dignity they deserve.
We call on the Executive, the Legislative, the Judiciary arms of government and everyone concerned to ensure that justice is served; even the voice of Uwaila in the grave should be heard. How we wish that the same momentum in which all and sundry are raising their voices to #EndSARS, will be the same way all Nigerians will raise thier voices to insist on justice for these girls whose voices are being silenced by the actions and inactions of the appropriate bodies. No doubt, huge steps have been taken but there needs to be a conclusion, which is justice. Has Uwaila's case been laid to rest again? The public deserves to know the progress reports on this case and others. #JusticeforUwa #JusticeforLeah #BringBackOurGirls
Also, it is important to achieve equality by ensuring equity while appointing government officials. Why is it so difficult in Nigeria, to have a cabinet that adheres to the 35 per cent affirmative action as proposed in the National Gender Policy? Is this asking for too much? If our women are still battling for relevance, what then is the future of our girls today? We call on the Presidency to consider this.
Parents should groom their girls and expose them to forums where they can lend their voices. Parents must contribute to building their girls' self esteem to ensure that their voices are not hidden beginning from the family. If society will not give her a voice, the girl should find her voice, speak up and speak out for the future. I am not referring to the incidence of girls or should I say women who said that without "Yahoo boys," they will be out of business since they are prostitues, all in the name of protesting against SARS. There are so many other positive things girls can lend their voices to. In SHADE-IN, we remain committed to providing a platform where girls can lend their voices.
If you are a girl, you can lend your voice here. Reach out to us if you have a story that you need the world to hear or if you need to lend your voice positively. We will be glad to help you.
Please find below, examples of girls who lent their voices for an equal future, through the link by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF): https://features.unicef.org/teen-girl-activist/
It is her day today and anyday - the international day of the girl. We celebrate girls everywhere. #InternationalDayoftheGirl
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