Uplifting Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow: WFWP Africa Celebrates International Day of the Girl
Written By: Flory Yadao Ledwaba
On October 11, 2023, the world came together in a virtual celebration of International Day of the Girl, focusing on the theme, "Invest in our Girl Child - our future leadership, our wellbeing." WFWP Africa held a virtual program with about 50 girls and women participants. This year's program brought together two inspiring guest speakers, Mrs. Mmabatho Ramagoshi and Dr. Salome Awuor, who shared their insights and wisdom on uplifting and empowering girls in society. Ms. Ryeojin Kuse, WFWP Africa Young Professional, moderated the program and Ms. Kefilwe Lebepe rendered a poem dedicated to the girls' empowerment.
WFWPI Vice President for Africa, Dr. Susan Kone and Ms. Stephanie Chisha, WFWP Africa Young Professional, welcomed and opened the program to celebrate the International Day of the Girl 2023 and set a cheerful tone for the event.
Then the first guest speaker, Mrs. Mmabatho Ramagoshi, Director and Independent Consultant of Ditebego Enterprises and Development, was invited to speak. She is the former special advisor for the Minister of Presidency for women, youth and persons with disabilities. She began her speech with a heartfelt message about the importance of protecting and uplifting girls in our society. She emphasized the need to celebrate this day by taking concrete actions to ensure the safety and well-being of girls everywhere.
To protect girls from harm, exploitation, violence, and sexual harassment, Mrs. Ramagoshi stressed the importance of awareness and advocacy. She urged communities and governments to come together to lobby for essential resources like free sanitary pads, which would help girls maintain their dignity and ensure their uninterrupted access to education.
In addition to providing these practical necessities, Mrs. Ramagoshi highlighted the importance of making sure that girls' voices are heard. Encouraging open and supportive communication channels allows girls to express their concerns and ideas, ultimately contributing to their empowerment. Listening to their perspectives helps create a more inclusive society where every girl has the opportunity to flourish.
Dr. Salome Awuor, the second guest speaker, is an internationally renowned and respected educator, pan-Africanist, peace mediator, gender equity advocate and climate change expert, focused on the vital role of nurturing the leadership potential within every girl. She emphasized that to truly celebrate International Day of the Girl, we need to consider the first 1000 days of a girl's life and the importance of her environment.
Dr. Awuor's message centered around the concept of taking care of the girl child to ensure her future success. She stressed the significance of creating a supportive home environment where girls can grow and develop to their full potential. This includes not only protecting them from harm but also fostering their self-reliance, resilience and leadership skills. The first 1000 days of a girl's life, from conception to the age of two, are crucial for her overall development. It is during this time that her brain architecture is formed, laying the foundation for her future abilities and capacities. Dr. Awuor urged everyone to pay close attention to this period, ensuring that girls receive proper nutrition, care and a nurturing environment.
Furthermore, Dr. Awuor advocated for a future-oriented perspective, emphasizing that girls should be groomed to become leaders who can lead others with conviction. This leadership potential is not limited to any particular field but extends to all aspects of life, from education and career to community involvement and personal relationships.
Mrs. Bernadette Fogue, WFWP Africa Education Director, in her remarks thanked
the two exceptional guest speakers, Mrs. Mmabatho Ramagoshi and Dr. Salome Awuor, for shedding light on critical aspects of empowering and safeguarding girls in society.
The combined wisdom of these two remarkable women underscored the importance of protecting girls from harm and exploitation, advocating for free sanitary pads and amplifying their voices, she said. Simultaneously, they highlighted the significance of nurturing girls during the first 1000 days of their lives to set the stage for their future leadership.
In closing Mrs. Flory Ledwaba, WFWPI Regional Secretary General for Africa, said that the program served as a reminder that we must work tirelessly to create a world where every girl can grow, thrive and fulfill her potential, as her success not only benefits her but society as a whole. By ensuring that our girls are safe, heard and prepared to become leaders, we are investing in a brighter and more inclusive future for all. “Let's work hand in hand, united in our determination to create a brighter, more inclusive future for the girl child,” she said. “The path may be long, but with our collective efforts, it is a path we can and will traverse successfully.”
