Empower the girl child

GIRL CHILD

On Sunday (October 11, 2020), Uganda joined the world to commemorate the International Day of the girl child.

The national celebration premised on recognising girls' rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.

This year's theme ‘my voice, our equal future', rationalised the observation that supports more opportunity for girls and increases awareness of gender inequality faced by girls worldwide based on their gender.

The notion that educating the girl child is building the nation, has been popularised in account of the fact that the girl child is very instrumental in nation building.

Esther Kyazike, director Kawempe Youth Centre said girls still face challenges such as right/access to education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care and protection from discrimination, violence against women, and child marriage.

The celebrations which reflected the successful emergence of girls and young women as a distinct cohort in development policy, programming, campaigning and research, took place at Kawempe Youth Centre.

"Government should be commended for its effort in ensuring affirmative action. Women are visible in top leadership positions across the country, the speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga is an example," she said.

Esther Namboka, Executive Director Gals Forum International said girls have the right to education, and healthy life, but not only during these critical formative years but also as they mature into women.

She said the high teenage pregnancy rate is another disheartening indicator that calls for drastic action.

"If girls are effectively supported during their childhood and adolescent years, they have the potential to change the world, both as the empowered girls of today and as of tomorrow's workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors and political leaders", she said.

In Uganda, 1 out of every 4 girls aged 15-19years is pregnant. Teenage pregnancy prevents girls from acquiring education and ultimately shuts them the door to a prosperous future.

Jackie Bukirwa, a teenage mother said as Uganda celebrates girls in Uganda, she calls upon government, development partners, private sectors, civil society and decision makers to seize the high teenage and unplanned pregnancies during the COVID 19 pandemic, through the provision of free access to sexual reproductive health services to girls, address the high defilement and rape cases by arresting and prosecuting offenders.

Kyazike who was the chief guest said it is even important that women in privileged and influential positions get pro-active.

"They should not just sit and enjoy the comfort of such positions. Let them use it to benefit fellow women and girls by influencing policies and decisions in favor of women empowerment," she said.

"If such efforts are taken up by relevant authorities, the girl child will gain knowledge and skills to make correct life choices."

Step 5 of the 17 steps to sustainable development calls for gender equality and women empowerment. Should Uganda domesticate SDG 5, there is no doubt that the country's overall productivity will increase.