By Fatmata Kamara, Esq., Vice-President, West Africa, Pan African Female Youth Leaders (PANAFYL).
In the global observance of the International Day of the Girl Child, the world stands divided between celebration and commemoration. This day, established in 2012, serves as a beacon of recognition for the fundamental rights of girls and the challenges they face worldwide. While some nations enthusiastically celebrate, others take a more solemn approach, choosing to commemorate the struggles and triumphs of girls. In the case of Sierra Leone, a reflection on its journey reveals a lingering uncertainty about the nature of the observance.
The International Day of the Girl Child was created by Plan International, a global organization dedicated to improving the lives of girls, especially in developing nations, through their, “Because I Am a Girl” campaign. The United Nations formally proposed this day as a resolution in 2011, sponsored by Rona Ambrose, Canada’s Minister for the Status of Women.
On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 66/170, officially designating October 11, 2012, as the very first International Day of Girls. This historic resolution emphasizes the incredible strength and potential of girls, their transformative impact on economic prosperity and the importance of empowering them.
Despite Sierra Leone’s annual observance of the International Day of the Girl Child, its girls continue to face unprecedented challenges. These include sexual abuse, teenage pregnancy, child marriage, limited access to education, gender-based violence, unfair discrimination, exploitative child labor, high school dropout rates and maternal mortality.
While the International Day of the Girl Child raises awareness about the challenges faced by girls worldwide, numerous obstacles still impede their growth and development. It is a collective responsibility to overcome those challenges and create a world where girls can thrive and be empowered.
Recent research in Sierra Leone reveals alarming statistics related to teenage pregnancy and maternal health. The country ranks among the top ten nations with the highest rates of teenage pregnancy globally. Adolescent fertility rates remain high and maternal mortality disproportionately affects teenage girls, with an estimated 40% of maternal deaths occurring in this age group. While the recognition of International Girls’ Day is significant it serves as a reminder that much work remains.
Addressing these challenges requires more than mere words; it necessitates action. Sierra Leone and the global community must prioritize girls’ empowerment, the realization of their rights, and the creation of a nurturing environment for their growth and success. This can be achieved by incorporating sexual and reproductive health education into teenagers’ lives, providing opportunities for redemption to victims of teenage pregnancy, offering more educational resources and scholarships for girls, accelerating justice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, upholding gender laws, strengthening healthcare systems, and fostering mentorship for girls.
As UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, aptly noted, women and girls possess remarkable leadership abilities. They have the potential to transform attitudes, ignite positive change and drive the development of policies that cater to their unique needs. With their invaluable leadership, women and girls can guide the world toward a future that is fair and equitable for all. The International Day of the Girl Child serves as a poignant reminder that the world must work collectively to turn this vision into a reality.
