International Day of the Girl Child Commemoration 2022

The 2022 International Day of the Girl Child had as its theme — Our time is now – Our Right, Our Future. The yearly commemoration provided an opportunity to put the girl child in front. This year, Onelife Initiative joined efforts with the Child Protection Network, Oyo State, Nigeria to be part of the commemoration. CPN as the body is called had engagement with students in 4 schools in Oyo State including Ikolaba Grammar School, Agodi GRA, Ibadan where Onelife Initiative’s team joined in. 

Over 300 students and their teachers were reached on the assembly ground. The students were given hints on how to ensure they keep preparing for their future. A major issue highlighted was the prevalence of Gender Based Violence in school and in the society. Special attention was paid to the issue of Female Genital Mutilation with the students given information on the various types and what to do in case they were confronted with situations where Female Genital Mutilation was being broached in their presence. The various negative effects of FGM was also talked about, especially the health implications. 

As part of the Movement for Good to End FGM in Nigeria, the students were asked to join the movement and also pledge their support for the movement by speaking up against it and also enlightening their parents on the various dangers involved with the practice. The students took the pledge by reciting that they pledge to EndFGM. The session ended with an appreciation by the students with the anchor teacher thanking the team for coming to speak with the students. Onelife Initiative was represented at the event by Nike Omotosho and ‘Sola Fagorusi. Onelife Initiative’s activities to commemorate the day continued with the twitter spaces chat organised by Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation. We joined in and spoke on the various Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights challenges of the Girl Child. Onelife Initiative’s SRHR Programme Officer, Dorcas Famoyegun spoke on behalf of the organisation highlighting the various challenges connecting the girl child and why solving those SRHR issues benefits everyone.