11th October 2023 in Lome: On the occasion of International Day of the Girls Child (IDGC) 2023, Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) Afrique de l’Ouest or WiLDAF-AO as sub-regional network recognizes the rights of girls and the challenges girls face around the sub-region and Africa.
International Day of the Girls Child reminds us that it is our responsibility to give all girls the importance they deserve and work together for their full potential.
International Day of the Girl Child is a day of annual observance celebrated worldwide on October 11. The day was adopted by the United Nations and aims to raise awareness of gender inequality, child marriage, sexual violence, education deprivation, climate crisis, cyber bullying and sextortion and other sensitive issues faced by girls due to their gender.
The first International Day of the Girl Child was observed in 2012 globally and so this year 2023 marks the 11th anniversary celebration of IDGC.
WiLDAF-AO believes and accepts that Girls are leaders, Girls are change-makers, Girls are driving sustainable growth around Africa and the world. Girls are a fundamental source of transformational change for gender equality and with the digital revolution, technology is a crucial tool to support girls’ work, activism and leadership.
WiLDAF-AO is not oblivious women all around Africa are the victims of certain issues and abuse such as denial to education, nutrition, legal rights and medical care, sexual and reproductive health rights, discrimination, violence and forced child marriage and so commemoration of International Day of the Girl Child supports giving more opportunities to girls and increases awareness across Africa and the world based upon their gender. But if given the right platform and opportunities, all girls can bring positive changes in the African society making Africa stronger than it is now.
The time to stand with and for girls and to invest in a future that believes in the of potential of girls is now. With this in mind, the 2023 IDGC global theme “Our time Is now– Our Rights, Our Future” is fit for purpose and aligns with WiLDAF-AO ongoing workshop on “Action and Solidarity Movement on Political Participation Of Women And Girls”.
The first step towards empowerment of women was taken at the World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. Many countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action as a blueprint to the principles concerning the equality of men and women.
The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of African Women to Equality between Men and Women (2004) enshrines the equal participation of men and women in public and political decision-making, in keeping with the spirit of CEDAW.
Moreover, in order to achieve the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), target 5.5 of Goal 5 “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal access to leadership roles at all levels of decision-making in economic and political life” calls on States to promote the political participation of women and girls in all decision-making processes at all levels. Clearly, women’s and girls’ political participation is a fundamental conduit to gender equality and the promotion of democratic governance.
In commemorating International Day of the Girl Child 2023, Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) West Africa or WiLDAF-AO stand to and committed to the promotion of girls’ empowerment through the cross-cutting themes of human rights, gender equality and combating sexual and gender-based violence. We will ensure amplifying the voice of every girl child and give her “HER” own voice, agency and autonomy.
Today 11th October and every day, let’s recognize the drive and passion that young girls have for their families, their communities, their peers, their countries and Africa as a whole.
Happy International Day to ALL GIRLS in Africa and of Africa!!!
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