On October 21, 2022, the Africa Chapter of Rural Women’s Studies Association sponsored a celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child. October 2022 marked the tenth anniversary of the United Nations’ International Day of the Girl. Over the past decade, the UN has helped to increase attention by governments, policymakers, and the general public to issues that matter to girls. Adolescent girls also have gained greater opportunities to be heard on the global stage.
Yet girls continue to face many challenges worldwide. Up to 10 million girls are at risk of child marriage—a situation that has worsened due to the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Lowest Developed Countries (LDCs), almost half of primary schools lack single-sex toilets (UN Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021). Menstruation causes 100 million adolescent girls to miss school (ACESWorld).
RWSA’s Africa Chapter responded to these challenges by marking the International Day of the Girl Child with events on the theme “Our time is now, our rights our future” held at St. Peters College (Private) Olomore, Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria.
Lead resource person Miss Ifeoluwa Zubair spoke on the topic, “Breaking boundaries and barriers caused as a result of stereotype and exclusion.” other stakeholders highlighted barriers to girls’ advancement, including low self-esteem, health challenges, and stigmatization. They encouraged girls to have positive mindsets, to know their rights, to be determined, and to take advantage of opportunities as future leaders.
Chairman of Rural Women Studies Association (RWSA) Africa Chapter, Professor Olubunmi Asimolowo, welcomed participants, pointing out that the Association seeks to promote scholarship on women in rural environments and to establish and maintain links with contemporary farm and rural women’s organizations. Co-Chairman for Africa, Mrs. Oluwaseun Boye, said that RWSA’s Africa Chapter held the celebration of the international day of the girl child to empower women and girls by exposing them to available opportunities and encourage them to make their voices heard worldwide.
The program included lectures, interactive sessions, and counseling. Of particular note was training on menstrual hygiene and distribution of sanitary towels to students. Lack of such knowledge and products represents a significant barrier to adolescent girls’ continued schooling.
Sources:
UN Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021
ACESWorld, “Menstruation: A Barrier to Education,”
https://www.salienttimesonline.com.ng/2022/10/international-day-of-girl-child-rwsa.html
https://www.hotsecretnaija.com.ng/2022/10/international-day-of-girl-child-rwsa_86.html
Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, “International Day Of The Girl Child: RWSA Empowers Ogun Students,” The Encounter,