In commemoration of the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child the Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF) has visited Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) Calabar.
Recall that on December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.
Addressing over 500 female students of FGGC on this year’s theme “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being” the Programme Officer for MDF, Mr. Joseph Efut, said the International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address their challenges and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.
“Adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years but also as they mature into women,” Mr. Efut said.
“If effectively supported during the adolescent years,” Manager Efut noted. “Girls have the potential to change the world both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders.”
After he expressed optimism that an investment in realizing the power of adolescent girls upholds their rights today would bring about a more equitable and prosperous future, Efut explained that half of humanity is an equal partner in solving the problems of climate change, political conflict, economic growth, disease prevention, and global sustainability.
While the MDF, in addition, engaged the students in health education sessions focusing on the Human Papillomavirus and awareness of the introduction and uptake of the HPV vaccine in Nigeria, the foundation in partnership with Pink Africa announced plans to screen the participants for HPV for free, including HPV vaccination in the coming week.
As part of her advocacy the team also carried out sensitization on menstrual hygiene best practices and practical demonstration on the appropriate use of sanitary pads and distributed free sanitary pads to all participants to mitigate the deleterious effects occasioned by unhealthy menstrual practices.
After once again appreciating the MDF Team, on behalf of the school management for selecting FGGC for the commemoration of the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child, the Principal Mrs. Eno Bassey, called for continued visits and advocacies to the school.
She said further sensitization of the students on health issues and career sessions for societal development can not be overemphasized.