Facilitated by Joy Akim, the project Coordinator, the day
was started by first creating awareness on what IDG is all about, the 2017
theme, its significance and why the event is celebrated by the whole world. The
girls were then given a forum to share their stories of what it means to grow
up as a girl in a world that still discriminates against women. They talked
about the many girls they know who have dropped out of school because of pregnancy;
early marriage; and HIV among others, and what they think should be done to
address such cases.
From these discussions, it was quite clear that girls who are
empowered can raise their voices to fight for their rights and protection in
all contexts. They are working to end violence against women and girls, to
recognize indigenous rights, and to build peaceful and cohesive communities.
Since 2012, October 11 has marked
the International Day of the Girl (IDG) to raise awareness about the issues
girls face around the world. It is a day when activists, organizations,
and girls themselves come together to take action to advance rights and
opportunities for girls everywhere.
Girl Power Clubs Africa is a leadership program focused on providing
teenage girls with a chance to learn life skills and learn to make decisions
that affect their lives and their communities positively. It recognizes that it
is essential to support and invest in girls by transforming the risks and
deprivations they face, from preventing and responding to gender-based violence
to promoting a girl’s right to find -and own - her voice.
