Theme: “Digital Generation. Our Generation.”

Welcome Address by President/Founder

Protocol

I am grateful to the Almighty God for making it possible for all of us to gather here today to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child. I want to thank the almighty God for giving us this environment to learn.

The theme of this year’s International day of the girl child is: ‘Digital generation. Our generation.’ The International Day of the Girl Child is a brainchild of the World Conference on Women. In 1995, at a conference in Beijing, it was decided that such a day dedicated to the growth of girls around the world was a necessity. As a result, countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This made the Declaration the first of its kind, in that it separated the girl child from the umbrella of women. The day was first celebrated on October 11, 2012. Since then, it has been celebrated annually worldwide. The day signifies equal opportunity for girls and promotes awareness about gender equality. It focuses on issues faced by girls worldwide because of their gender. It addresses issues like: girl child education, equality, child marriage, access to services regarding puberty and sexual health and addressing issues around gender based violence.

We have all seen the effects of COVID 19 which came into existence in 2020. As corona virus lockdowns swept across the world, the fall out for girls came fast and hard. Measures meant to stem the spread of COVID- 19 by restricting movement escalated gender-based violence and limited girls’ access to quality education. That is why the theme of this year International day of the girl child is addressing this issue. Even before pandemic locked them down, gender stereotypes locked many girls by confining their future prospects. The percentage of females among Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics [STEM] graduates is below 15 percent in over two thirds of countries which is a serious point that needs to be looked in to. This year’s theme promotes equal opportunity for girls in accessing technologies. The girl child should be given all encouragement to undertake studies in STEM just as their male counterparts. That is the only way to promote fairness and equality and make the world a better place for all. I welcome you all and wish you a vibrant and enjoyable session.

Thank you.

Dr (Mrs) Rosalyn Essien
President/Founder

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