Invest in Girls Rights: International Day of the Girl Child
The University of Nairobi through the Institute for development Studies co-organized and hosted this year’s commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child. The theme for this year was, ‘Invest in Girls Rights: Our Leadership, Our well-being’
The celebrations that hosted over 300 young girls from all over the country was held at the historical Taifa Hall on the 10th and 11th of October, 2023.
Through poetry, music and dance, the girls expressed their utmost desires to be heard.
The University of Nairobi hosted a two-day event that was a commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child. The event was organized through the Institute for Development Studies, Stretchers Youth Organization and the Nairobi County Government.
Speaking during the event, Prof. Stephen Kiama, welcomed the girls to the University and urged them to have hope that through education there is empowerment, education is their ticket out of poverty and that through education they can experience the world. He highlighted the efforts of the University to mainstream gender equality and to enhance safety for the students during their studies.
Hon. Esther Passaris congratulated all the girls in attendance and warned them against teenage pregnancies. She took them through a visualization of the cons of teenage motherhood. She enlightened them on ways of saving their finances and ways of accessing funds from the Government.
The County Minister of Nairobi who represented the County Governor, Hon. Sakaja mentioned the efforts that the County Government has done to break the barriers for the girl child. She mentioned the commitment of the office on Gender inclusivity.
The CS, Youth and Sports, Hon. Ababu Namwamba noted that, ’10-24 year old girls are 85% of the Kenyan population and he challenged the girls to go for their dreams, he also urged them to take advantage of the opportunities that have been provided for by the Government.Hon. Namwamba mentioned the 'Talanta mkononi' initiative, the one-million green army initiative on climate change in the country and the Presidential Innovatice Challenge. He urged the girls to take advantage of such opportunities to increase their impact.
The two-day event saw the girls engage in thematic conversations on issues that affect their well-being.
