The International Girls Day

It was the International Girls Day on October 11, 2016. I asked on my Facebook wall if we could talk about the issues the Girl Child faces and what we can do individually and collectively to bring down these barriers and help her reach her full potential?

I had fantastic responses. Thanks to all respondents. Please feel free to include your views as comments on this blog.

Tolulope Harry

Hmmm...

 First of all, the girl child should be taught that she can be anything she wants to become if she sets her heart to it.

 That a boy is not better than her simply because he has a penis. That the man who marries her isn't doing her a favour. That she can be happy and complete without a boyfriend...

That marriage and child bearing isn't the biggest achievement in the life of a female... That it (education) all doesn't end in the kitchen as they say. That it is not OK to be beaten n battered by the man who is supposed to love and pamper you. That it is not her fault that he is cheating on her.

That she can attain and achieve excellence without 'bottom power'. That she should feel the plight n pain of other women... Not add to their problems. That having a child through cesarean operation doesn't make her less a woman or mother. That women wounding other women has to go away n is gradually going into extinction...

That she should have self-worth and not force herself on men or guys who don't want her. That she should put value on herself n not cheapen herself. That she should not fight over a man who does not love her enough to be committed to her. That she should not be the bread winner of the home. That she should be doing something no matter how little (financial independence). That she can enjoy herself (in a good way though) in the period she is waiting for Mr. Right.

That there are people who care about her. She should not be silent about matters that are eating deep into her. She should speak out..

That she should have standards and not settle for less. When he is displaying traits you cannot live with, trash it out! Do not ignore the warning signs..

That all these does not mean she should not still submit to her husband.

The list is endless!

Awele Nwamu

Girls should have access to sanitary products!!!A lot more girls than we know don’t get to use sanitary towels. Shall we start a use one give one campaign?

Nneka Thelma N'Kenda-Bikoumou

FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and child marriage are still rampant in Africa. We need our educational curriculum to include these topics to spread awareness on the dangers they pose.

Oyindamola James

Florida Uzoaru asked me what message I have for the 16 year old girl with respect to reproductive health and this was my answer.

"My most pressing message to the Girl Child is that she is the custodian of her reproductive organs and she needs to make choices with those organs today considering her tomorrow..."