International Day of the Girl:UN POLAC /Hope Aglow Charity foundation Celebrates the Day with Focus on Girls' Voices and Empowering the future

International Day of the Girl:UN POLAC /Hope Aglow Charity foundation Celebrates the Day with Focus on Girls’ Voices and Empowering the future

The United Nations POLAC and Hope Aglow Charity Foundation celebrated the 2024 International Day of the Girl child with Ferdeta international school children in port-harcourt.

This year’s theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future” highlights both the urgency of addressing ongoing challenges faced by girls worldwide and the hope that comes from the power of girls’ voices and their vision for a brighter future.

Amb. Mrs. Cynthia Amaka Obiorah, Associate Professor, Women & Children Director at UN POLAC and Founder Hope Aglow Charity foundation while addressing the children, stressed the importance of listening to and investing in adolescent girls to build a more equitable and prosperous world.

Amb.Mrs Obiorah noted that this investment not only secures girls’ rights today but also harnesses their potential to drive solutions to global challenges such as climate change, political instability, and economic inequality.

“An investment in realizing the power of adolescent girls upholds their rights today and promises a future where everyone is an equal partner in shaping the world,” Obiorah said drawing attention to the role girls play in creating sustainable change.

She highlighted the inspiring examples of Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg, who have become global icons for girls’ activism and leadership.

She drew attention to the continued challenges girls face, including gender-based violence, limited access to education, child marriages, and forced labor. In line with the theme, *”Girls’ Vision for the Future,”

Amb. Obiorah emphasized that girls must be empowered to shape their own futures and become leaders in their communities.

She called on governments, community leaders, and individuals to create safe environments where girls can thrive, urging all to take tangible steps to amplify girls’ voices in leadership and decision-making roles.

“Empowered girls are tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and change-makers,” she said, adding that the global community must actively support girls’ education and end harmful practices like child marriage.

Obiorah outlined key actions needed to break barriers for girls, including increasing access to education, providing platforms for girls’ leadership, and challenging harmful gender norms.

She also presented the *Girls’ Empowerment Manifesto,* encouraging girls to recognize their worth and potential: “I am worthy of education and opportunities. I will not be silenced or marginalized. I will lead, innovate, and thrive.”

According to her, “This year’s International Day of the Girl celebration was not only a time to recognize girls’ achievements but also a reminder of the work that still needs to be done.

“Together, we can create a world where every girl has the chance to dream, to lead, and to pursue her vision for the future.”

Also speaking at the event is Head of
Ferdeta international school Mrs. Uyai Umukoro on the International Day of the Girl Child.said that it’s a wonderful thing to partner with UN-POLAC to celebrate the girls child day.

“We are deeply elated to be chosen for this year international girls day celebration.

According to her, we hope to do more with UNESCO because our school as always been known for protecting girls child right and amplifying the voice of the girl child.

The event was a powerful reminder that while much progress has been made, the journey to achieving full equality for girls remains ongoing.