Investing in Girl is Crucial for Achieving Sustainable Development

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 A report by the United Nations indicates that nearly 1 in 5 girls still do not complete lower-secondary education, and almost 4 in 10 fail to finish upper-secondary school. Also, around 90% of adolescent girls and young women in low-income countries lack internet access, while their male peers are twice as likely to be online.

Globally, girls aged 5-14 years spend 160 million more hours each day on unpaid care and domestic work compared to boys of the same age. Adolescent girls also account for 3 in 4 new HIV infections among their age group, and nearly 1 in 4 married or partnered girls aged 15-19 have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner.

These disparities affect crucial areas such as education, nutrition, legal rights, healthcare, and protection from discrimination, violence, and forced child marriage. With these challenges, coupled with the ongoing fight for gender equality, the world unites every October 11 to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, a day dedicated to advancing the empowerment, education, and rights of girls everywhere.

UNICEF says Nigeria accounts for more than one in five out-of-school children anywhere in the world and Girls suffer more than boys in terms of missing out on education. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) among girls and women aged 15-49 in Nigeria is lower than in many countries where the practice is prevalent.

However, Nigeria still has the third highest absolute number of women and girls—19.9 million—who have undergone FGM worldwide. Furthermore, Child marriage remains a critical issue affecting the development and well-being of adolescent girls globally, with Nigeria ranking third in the prevalence of child brides.

Child marriage remains a significant issue in Nigeria, with 44% of girls married before 18, totaling over 24 million child brides and ranking third globally. Recent data indicates a decline in national prevalence from 44% to 30%, but progress has been slow and uneven, particularly impacting girls from the poorest households, rural areas, and those with limited education.

To add to these, many girls in African societies are compelled to fend for themselves from a young age, facing challenges in a difficult economic environment. In low-income areas, parents often prioritize their sons’ education while daughters are expected to help with trading or farming, resulting in missed educational opportunities.

The 2024 International Day of the Girl Child theme is ‘Girls’ vision for the future’. It conveys both the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future. Today’s generation of girls is disproportionately affected by global crises of climate, conflict, poverty and pushback on hard won gains for human rights and gender equality.

Too many girls are still denied their rights, restricting their choices and limiting their futures. Yet, recent analysis shows that girls are not only courageous in the face of crisis, but hopeful for the future. Every day, they are taking action to realize a vision of a world in which all girls are protected, respected and empowered.

But girls cannot realise this vision alone. They need allies who listen to and respond to their needs.  With the right support, resources and opportunities, the potential of the world’s more than 1.1 billion girls is limitless. And when girls lead, the impact is immediate and wide reaching: families, communities and economies are all stronger, our future brighter.

Educating girls helps reduce the rate of child marriage, disease and helps strengthen the economy by helping girls have access to higher paying jobs. Again, encouraging girls to pursue education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields is crucial for closing the gender gap in these sectors.

STEM skills are increasingly valuable in today’s job market and can lead to innovative solutions for global challenges. Girls should be encouraged to develop strong leadership qualities and effective communication skills. Participating in public speaking, debate clubs, and leadership training programs can help them build confidence and articulate their ideas clearly.

Therefore, empowerment and investment in girls, which are critical for economic growth, the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, including the eradication of poverty and extreme poverty, as well as the meaningful participation of girls in decisions that affect them, are key in breaking the cycle of discrimination and violence and in promoting and protecting the full and effective enjoyment of their human rights.

Recognizing also that empowering girls requires their active participation in decision-making processes and the active support and engagement of their parents, families and care providers, as well as boys and men and the wider community.

Writing by Hadiza Abdulrahman; editing by Annabel Nwachukwu

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