Child rights activists say there is need to upscale efforts to create awareness on issues affecting the girl child.
This comes at a time when Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Day of the Girl Child.
The day is celebrated on 11 October in a bid to raise awareness on the issues that affect young girls across the world.
This year’s theme “With Her: A Skilled Force” puts emphasis on encouraging young girls to take charge of their own future through acquiring different skills that ensure they are fully equipped in technological skills, digitization, information as well as appropriate education.
In an interview with CITE, Youth for Innovation Trust (YIT) Managing Director Thando Gwinji, said this is an important day to raise awareness on the rights of girls.
“This day helps in empowering the girl child to know her rights and provide knowledge that will protect her from getting exploited,” said Gwinji.
“It also helps in the development of a country because if you empower the girl child, you empower a nation.”
Gwinji said YIT will celebrate the day by engaging young people at Ihlathi High School and Nkulumane High School on tech-novation.
Hope Alive Child Network Founding Director Patience Dube, said this day is inclusive of young girls living with disabilities.
“Young people living with disabilities are not celebrated every day, but this day makes it a special day for them because they can also be part of the celebrations,” said Dube.
“Due to lack of funds we will celebrate in December and invite young people living with disabilities, we will provide an open and safe space for them to talk about sexual reproductive health rights.”
According to the United Nations (UN), young girls across the world face challenges that hinder them from acquiring education, information, communication technology and resources.
As a result, most young girls in the world are likely to face unemployment and get inadequate education.
However, at least 1.1 billion girls across the world are challenging the status quo and aiming to work against all odds to acquire the needed skills that will aid them in raising their voices against the atrocities done to women.
The first International Day of the Girl Child was observed on 11th October 2012 and ever since, the campaign has highlighted girl issues pertaining to the real life world and finding answers to address these challenges.