19/10/2025
*International Day of the girl child 2025,with the theme: "the girl I am, the change I lead"*
The girl child is the most vulnerable human and is most times not captured for consideration in anything good.
It is quite appalling that most communities in this 21 century still see the girl child as a property which will eventually be inherited hence less value is accrued her.
It is still practicable that some ethnic affiliations, patronize early marriages and it is still the girl child who is the victim. A child whose emotions is unstable to understand the demands of marriage rites is forced into motherhood all in the name of customary practice.
Her dreams of education geared toward a better life is shattered.
The girl child is neglected and less attention is given to her. Some times she finds herself in a family where everyone seems busy hence she has no one to confined in.
Those she even trust sometimes victimized her and threaten her to remain silent.
Some parents are too engaged to see possible changes in the lives of their female children; a child who was once very cheerful and lively, suddenly becomes withdrawn to herself yet questions and eyebrows are not raised.
The female child becomes melancholic and any possible peer pressure that she feels comfortable to confide in,becomes a model either negative or positive.
The girl child picks up character she's been exposed to and becomes addicted.
Suddenly,when these negative trend is discovered,the family and the entire society puts the blame on her.
She is attacked by all means and her side of the story is never important.
The parents and supposed care givers have an excused which is usually, "all we do is for you."
Yes!, it was meant for her but the fundamentals were never ensured.
Who was responsible for her in your absence?
How do you respond to her curious questions?
How often do you engage her on pep talk in your leisure?
What has been your core value as a family?
How well do you know those guardians you entrusted her with?
These are some unanswered questions you should have looked into before the push for blames.
The girl child needs loves,
She deserves attention,
She needs protection,
She needs inspiration.
Gone are the days where women were second citizens and will clamour for 35% representation.
Gone are the days when certain career choices were seen to be suitable to just men because of the complex nature of the course.
The girl child has made remarkable progress in history most peculiar is in our dear state where
The vice chancellor of University of Calabar is a girl child;
The vice chancellor of University of Cross River State is a girl child;
The Student Union Government's President of both schools,falls on the same gender.
(This is unprecedented)
This underscores the position that achievements in contemporary times have no gender barriers.
Happy international Day of the Girl Child.
I call on all well meaning Nigerians to rise to the clarion call of building a nation through the encouragement and empowering of the girl child through education,skill acquisition and emotion management.
We appreciate the efforts of the wife of the Governor, her Excellency,Bishop Dr. Eyoanwan Otu, on her continuous stride towards ensuring the girl child has a sense of belonging .
Dr. Helen Isamoh-Egodo PhD.
Commissioner For Humanitarian Affairs And Poverty Alleviation-Cross River State.
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Helen Isamoh
