The United Nations holds the annual International Day of the Girl Child on October 11 every year to promote girls’ rights and highlight gender inequalities all over the world. The international Girl-Child day for this year was no different in Ibadan as the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), Oyo state chapter organised a community outreach in its regard. The outreach which was based on the theme for 2021, “Digital Generation, Our Generation” was organised and carried out by the leadership of CSACEFA in collaboration with DAWN Commission, Ibadan.
The outreach, held Tuesday 12th October, 2021 was styled in the form of a street march and public sensitisation. It kick-started at the popular Agodi-Gate bus stop with members of the group and representatives from DAWN Commission.
Representatives of the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) spoke the public saying that the girl-child is just as important as the boy-child and more opportunities should be created for the girl-child to thrive in the society.
Also, the group made a call for an increased level of awareness of gender equality faced by girls worldwide based upon their gender. This inequality includes areas such as nutrition, legal rights, medical care, access to education and protection from discrimination, violence against women and forced marriage. The celebration of the day also “reflects the successful emergence of girls and young women as a distinct cohort in development policy, programming, campaigning and research.
Yomi Agge, the Head of Education Desk at DAWN spoke on the importance of being deliberate about the girl-child education. She opined that there should be intentional efforts by this generation to ensure that every girl-child is encouraged and educated. ”Our generation must support the girl-child for the digital world because these digital skills are crucial to their growth in the society”.
Other key stakeholders also spoke to the public during the foot-march which progressed down the Agodi gate to Oje market. Oladejo Aanuoluwapo from DAWN Commission, Dr. Olatunji from CSACEFA also spoke at the event.
