The Girl Child is a biological female offspring from birth to the period before one becomes a young adult. During this period, the girl child is malleable, she has to build and develop her personality and character. She is dependent on significant others on whom she moulds her behaviour through observation, repetition and imitation.
In our society today, the Girl Child is seen as the lesser and weaker of the two beings of the human species. The Girl Child is not only being considered the lesser of the human species but is also neglected. The Girl Child struggles to survive and be heard in the society because boys are given preferential treatment over her. She is discriminated against in access to educational opportunities, food and nutrition.
The Girl Child is prone to being victim of so many social vices. She is prone to rape, early marriage which interferes with her education or acquisition of skills needed for survival, poor nutrition which contributes to greater vulnerability to diseases and poor physical and mental development. She is prone to a greater risk of prostitution, child labour, unwanted pregnancy, kidnapping and human trafficking.
There is an adage that says ” educate a man, you educate an individual, but educate a woman, you educate a nation”.
Children are future leaders of tomorrow and mothers are guardians of the future, the first aim of every family and society should be to raise healthy and productive individuals who are physically, psychologically, socially and mentally well developed. This can be achieved through the education of the girl child who is the mother of tomorrow.
A girl child who is neglected, exposed to all forms of social vices and denied education cannot raise a nation because she is helpless herself. Beliefs must be changed about the value of the girl child. Rapid economic development is dependent on the elimination of gender bias. Parents have an important role in helping the female child achieve the basic necessities of survival and development.
The Girl Child suffers from inequality. Her voice is not allowed to be heard because society has placed so much importance on the boy child so much so that the girl child is viewed as not being able to contribute to the growth and development of the society. More resources are allocated to the boy child than the girl child. Most people believe that political positions should not be given to the girl child due to the stereotypical opinion that women are incapable of leadership. Government must focus more resources on reducing the inequalities between boys and girls, change discriminatory laws and establish political stability.
This is where the United Nations comes in with the International Day of the Girl Child. The United Nations recognized October 11th to be the International Day for the Girl Child in December 2012. It’s been ten years already.
The International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated on October 11 to raise awareness of girls’ rights and the particular difficulties they encounter around the world.
It was the thought that girls had no place in school and no say in important policies affecting the whole of humanity that brought about the need for awareness.
As we celebrate today, we see that with tenacity and resilience, there has been increased attention on issues that matters to the girl child amongst government, policy makers and the general public. More opportunities have been created for the Girl Child to have her voice heard on the global stage.
More work still needs to be done but we need to reflect on ourselves. What do you think You as an individual, are doing that harms the Girl Child? What are you doing to enhance the development of the Girl Child?
The answers to these questions would determine if you support the girl child or if you are against it. The feminine gender is strong, and can do more if given the chances and opportunities.
Educate a man, you educate an individual, but educate a woman, you educate a nation.