International Day of the Girl Child 2017 #DayoftheGirl
11 October 2017
Today is the International Day of the Girl, a day set aside by the United Nations to highlight the challenges girls face around the world. This year’s theme for today is ‘EmPOWER girls: Before, during and after conflict.’
‘Every 10 minutes, somewhere in the world, an adolescent girl dies as a result of violence. In humanitarian emergencies, gender-based violence often increases, subjecting girls to sexual and physical violence, child marriage, exploitation and trafficking. Adolescent girls in conflict zones are 90 per cent more likely to be out of school when compared to girls in conflict-free countries, compromising their future prospects for work and financial independence as adults,’ the UN says.
This year’s theme and focus could not have captured the pain of our #ChibokGirls any better. On 14 April 2014 they were abducted in their school Government Secondary School, Chibok 113 of them remain missing today for 1276 days.
Our #ChibokGirls are a symbol of girls all over the world. They all deserve equal opportunities for a better future. Our #ChibokGirls sought empowerment by going to school to get education they do not deserve to be in captivity with terrorists.
The #BringBackOurGirls movement calls on the world on this day to recommit to ensuring that our #ChibokGirls do not spend any day further in captivity, but return home to be rehabilitated, reunified with family and friends, and reintegrated with society to continue with their education and live empowered lives.
Thank you.
For and on behalf of #BringBackOurGirls
FLORENCE OZOR
OBY EZEKWESILI