..says Girls’ Rights Must Be Protected, Not Limited by Gender

By Mary Agidi

As the International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated today, the Chief of the UNICEF Field Office for Southwest Nigeria, Céline Lafourcrière, has emphasized the need to protect girls’ rights, noting that being a girl shouldn’t be a reason to limit her capabilities.

In her message to mark the day, which was made available to JATS Online News by UNICEF Communication Officer in Lagos office, Blessing Ejiofor, Lafourcrière decried the challenges faced by girls, particularly the increasing rate of early marriages, which denies many of them the right to education.

Highlighting alarming statistics on the challenges girls face, she revealed that one in five young women aged between 20 and 24 were married as children, and up to 75% of new HIV infections occur among adolescents.

Her words: “One in three adolescent girls suffer from anemia, which is a form of malnutrition. Almost double the number of adolescent girls (one in four) compared to boys are not in any form of education, employment, or training. Nearly one in four partnered/married adolescent girls have experienced sexual or physical abuse.”

Speaking on why girls’ rights matter, she said: “My response is that being a girl shouldn’t determine what you can do, where you can go, or who you can become. But right now, that is the reality for millions of girls across the world. Too many are being left behind, confronted by extreme challenges that deny them their rights, restrict their choices, and limit their futures.”

Lafourcrière emphasized the importance of the Day of the Girl Child, saying it’s not only a day to celebrate girls but also to advocate for their full spectrum of rights and leadership.

She described this year’s theme, ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future,’ as apt, affirming that it reflects the findings from a UNICEF analysis, which shows that girls are not only courageous in the face of challenges but also hopeful for the future. “We see girls taking action every day to realize the vision of a world where all girls are protected, respected, and empowered,” she asserted.

Despite the grim realities, Lafourcrière expressed optimism that girls will overcome the challenges limiting them from realizing their full potential, with the right support, resources, and opportunities.

“The good news is that change is possible! However, girls alone cannot bring about the desired change. They need allies who listen to and respond to their needs – like you and me. Together, we can build a future in which every girl’s rights are protected.

“When girls achieve their goals, we all move closer to achieving our global goals.

“Did you know? Girls who receive at least 12 years of education are significantly more likely to delay marriage, contributing to lower rates of maternal and infant mortality,” she added.