The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for increased support to safeguard the rights of girls globally, emphasising that with the right resources and opportunities, girls around the world can unlock limitless potential.
Chief of UNICEF Field Office for South-West, Celine Lafoucriere, in a message to commemorate 2024 International Day of the Girl Child lamented that many girls are being left behind due to extreme challenges that deny them their rights, restrict their choices and limit their futures.
Lafoucriere pointed out that nearly twice as many adolescent girls one in four compared to boys, are not enrolled in any form of education, employment, or training.
She said that this year’s theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future” is very apt as it reflects the findings from a UNICEF analysis, which reveals that despite the challenges they face, girls remain courageous and hopeful about their future.
“Being a girl should not determine what you can do, where you can go, or who you can become which is now the reality for millions of girls across the world.
“Today, one in five young women, aged between 20 and 24 years old, are married as children. Nearly one in four partners married adolescent girls have experienced sexual or physical abuse and globally, up to 75% of new HIV infections are amongst adolescents girls.
“One in three adolescent girls suffer from anemia, which is a form of malnutrition. This is a dreadful picture, but the good news is that change is possible,”she said.
She noted that girls cannot achieve the desired change on their own and called on media practitioners to collaborate with UNICEF in addressing the issue.
“We see girls taking action every day to realize the vision of a world where all girls are protected, but also respected and empowered.
“Together, we can build a better future in which every girl’s rights are protected. When girls achieve their goals, we all move closer to achieving our global goals.
