It has been stressed that every girl has a vision of what her life will bring, a dream that needs to be supported and protected as she makes her journey from adolescence to adulthood.
The assertion was contained in a Statement by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem delivered by the Bauchi State Coordinator, Deborah Tabara at the commemoration of the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child held at the Government Girls College (GGC), Bauchi on Friday.
The Executive Director lamented, “Yet, for millions of girls, adolescence is a time when doors slam shut.”
Natalia Kanem added, “The gradual transition to adulthood is ended abruptly as early pregnancy and gender-based violence, including harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation, deprive them of their fundamental rights and choices.”
She added that “Poverty, protracted conflicts, and chronic fragility make these risks even more likely.”
According to her, “Adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 in low- and middle-income countries have 21 million pregnancies a year; nearly half are unintended. For many of these girls, this means a life not just curtailed, but cut short altogether.”
“Complications related to pregnancy and childbirth are among the leading causes of death for adolescent girls worldwide,” She stressed.
According to her, “Last month, world leaders signed a global pact that included commitments to dismantle gender inequality and address the violations it fuels, which act as brakes on girls’ aspirations.”
Natalia Kanem stressed that “They recognised that the peace and prosperity of our shared future depend on the ability of adolescent girls to exercise their human rights and reach their full potential.”
She also stated, “When adolescent girls are healthy, educated, and empowered with skills and opportunities to shape a bright future, they and their children – if they choose to have them in adulthood – have greater chances at a better life.”
“At 600 million strong, adolescent girls have transformative potential – for themselves, their communities, and humanity as a whole,” She enthused.
The UNFPA Executive Director stressed further, “On this International Day of the Girl and every day, let’s work to eliminate all the barriers that keep adolescent girls from reaching their full potential, and heed their call for the freedom to live in peace and determine their own life’s course.”
She concluded; “Adolescent girls have a clear vision of the future they want. Let’s support them in realizing this future; let’s stand with them, and not in their way.”
In her goodwill message, Asamau Yahaya leader of persons living with disabilities in Bauchi state, spoke on overcoming barriers to achieve girls’ vision for the future.
She called for support and encouragement her to ensure that She got to the peak without hindering her progression in life considering her fragility.
Director-General SDGs, Lydia Shehu inspired the girls to speak out against gender-based violence stressing that it is only by doing so that their voices could be heard and help come their way.
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