By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
As the world marks International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) 2022, AIDS Healthcare Foundation – NIGERIA said it will focus on on girls rights and future.
To this end, it says the theme; “Our Rights, Our Future”, will educate and empower girls to succeed by taking control of their health.
“At least 129 million girls worldwide are not attending school, an issue exacerbated by inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products and facilities. COVID-19 lockdowns also caused higher rates of gender-based violence, while teenage pregnancies skyrocketed during the pandemic. In sub-Saharan Africa, six in seven new HIV infections among adolescents aged 15–19 years are among girls, and girls and young women aged 15–24 years are twice as likely to be living with HIV than young men.
“IDGC is observed annually on October 11 to promote girls’ rights and bring awareness to the challenges they face. This IDGC, AHF country teams will hold “Our Rights, Our Future” events around the world to bring girls together through fun, educational and empowering sessions. Advocates will address menstrual health management, age-appropriate comprehensive sexual education, staying in school, avoiding unplanned pregnancy, building self-confidence, and many other vital issues for girls and their health.
“In Nigeria, AHF Nigeria with her partner, Strong Enough Girls Empowerment Initiative (SEGEI) will engage critical stakeholders such as the Ministries of Education, Health and Women Affairs. The FCT Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Secondary Education Board (SEB), National Teachers Institute, with the School Based Management Committees (SBMCs); in an impactful conversation with students (especially girls), about gaps and needs as it relates to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) also known as Family Life and HIV/AIDS Education (FLHE) in Nigeria. We are hopeful that CSE/FLHE can be taught comprehensively and effectively while we address the challenges hindering its effective delivery to young people.”
It said the event which will take place at the Lightway Academy, Wuse, Abuja, on Tuesday, October 11th, 2022, will see the distribution of free sanitary pads.
“Age-appropriate access to comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE) empowers youth with the knowledge, tools and skills needed for informed and responsible healthy choices and in that regard it is our duty to ensure that our youths can access age-appropriate, comprehensive sexual education for their health, dignity and wellbeing” said Dr. Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Program Director.
“Girls and young women are disproportionately affected by HIV and many other issues surrounding public health, which is why AHF is committed to working harder than ever to help ensure they have every opportunity to thrive with the help of programs like Girls Act,” said Terri Ford, Chief of Global Advocacy and Policy for AHF. “On the International Day of the Girl Child, we stand with girls worldwide by holding ‘Our Rights, Our Future’ events. We also urge governments and stakeholders to implement policies and programs that will even the playing field for young women and girls by ensuring equal access to quality health care, education, and economic opportunities. Girls deserve the chance to succeed—and IDGC 2022 is the perfect commemoration to give them the empowerment tools they need to take charge of their health and meet their full potential!”
AHF launched the successful Girls Act program in Africa in 2016, which has expanded to 33 countries across Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe. Learn more about the program by watching a touching documentary that follows several Girls Act members and shows how they thrive and bravely win their battles against HIV.
“When I go to Safe Space, I know my rights,” said Phylis, a 16-year-old from Kenya who was featured in the Girls Act documentary. “I have a right to name; I have a right to live; I have a right to health; and I have a right to education. Safe Space and Girls Act has made me feel comfortable and to value myself.”
