Protecting the rights of young girls has always been a strong area of advocacy for myself and my foundation - the Wellbeing Foundation Africa;and as the world celebrates the first ever United Nations International Day of the Girl, we ask you to join us in taking a stance against gender bias and advocating for girls’ rights across the African continent. By recognizing and promoting the rights of girl children, we are collectively advancing the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals pertaining to gender equality, human rights, women and children's health, empowernent, the environment and universal access to education.

As Founder-President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, it is important to emphasize the critical role that education, eliminating gender-based violence, and ending early child marriage plays in empowering girls to reach their full potential not only on the International Day of the Girl, but every day. In addition to the foundation’s advocacy efforts fuelled by the WBFA 24-7-365 Advocacy and Action social media campaign, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa Alaafia Kwara Initiative —a division of the foundation dedicated to implementing region-specific grassroots initiatives to advance the health and wellbeing of women and children, and all our Kwara networks, have played a key role in promoting the rights of the girl child through sustained efforts to ensure the completion of basic education of girls in Kwara State.

Not surprisingly, girls in Kwara State were the oldest in the country to have their first sexual experience, with a median age of 19 as opposed to the country’s average of 15 years (Uthman 2008) due to factors including our unrelenting push for the retention of girl children in education. It is pleasing to note that Kwara continues to set the benchmark in supporting girls’ rights in Nigeria, and I applaud the efforts of Kwara First Lady, Her Excellency Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, for not only continuing the programs initiated during the my tenure, but also for her new initiatives to enrich the lives and wellbeing of women and girls in the state.

On a global level, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa advocates against gender bias by supporting Peace One Day’s Global Truce 2012 ‘Reducing Domestic Violence’ Campaign and promoting the end of early child marriage. Research has indicated that child brides are more likely to be beaten or threatened by their spouses; and given that an astonishing 50 percent of sexual assaults are committed against girls under 16, it is paramountfor us to speak out against gender-based violence while giving victims a platform to seek support and regain empowerment. In this regard, I must also celebrate two key global initiatives and organisations, the Stop The Violence Campaign of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, empowering 10 million girls and young women around the world, and the unique platform of the White Ribbon Alliance Global, which has raised the voices of countless Champions around the world, myself included, as we strive to better the lives of humanity in our villages, towns, communities and countries.

As we commemorate the International Day of the Girl today, let us remember to celebrate, educate and encourage our girls as they grow into health-seeking, empowered women.

Signed:

Mrs. Toyin Ojora-Saraki
Founder-President
The Wellbeing Foundation Africa

United Nations Every Woman Every Child Effort Nigeria
Chair, The White Ribbon Alliance Nigeria
Chair, FIDA International Child Rights Committee
Trustee, The Global Foundation For Elimination Of Domestic Violence
Goodwill Ambassador, OB-PS of The World Association of Girl Guides And Scouts
Board-Member, Africa Justice Foundation