Grassroot People and Gender Development Centre (GRADE), an NGO, has officially launched its Girls Leadership And Mentoring Programme (G-LAMP) as part of activities to mark the International Day of the Girl-Child.
Speaking at the event on Friday in Lagos, the Executive Director of GRADE, Mrs Vivian Emesowum, said that the International Day of the Girl-Child holds a special place in her heart.
Emesowum said that the theme of the 2024 edition of the celebration: “GIRLS VISION FOR THE FUTURE” highlights the boundless potential, the unwavering determination and the incredible leadership of the girl-child globally.
According to her, it is a day that calls for reflection, inspiration, and action.
She said that the International Day of the Girl-Child serves as a global reminder of the importance of protecting and promoting the rights of our girls.
“It is an occasion for us to pledge our commitment to creating an environment where every girl can thrive and reach her fullest potential.
“Today, we officially launched our Girls Leadership and Mentoring Program (G-LAMP)
“We celebrate our Girls Ambassadors (products of G-LAMP) who are now community activist.
“We encourage them to step down learnings from the empowerment programme to other girls and writing stories from the community,” Emesowum said.
She noted that Girls’ leadership is an asset that should be embraced and celebrated.
“We must recognize that girls have unique qualities, perspectives, and talents that contribute to the development of our nation.
“It is imperative that we encourage girls to take the lead, be it in school, in sports, in the arts, in their communities, or in their homes.
” Leadership is not limited by age, and girls’ voices matter. When we support girls’ leadership, we empower them to shape the destiny of Nations.
“We call on our government to be committed to fostering an environment where girls’ rights and leadership are not mere aspirations but concrete realities.
” Our G-LAMP initiative is to address the specific needs and challenges faced by girls in our communities,” Emesowum added.
She stressed that to invest in girls’ well-being, ‘we must prioritize the creation of information services and systems that are adolescent-girl-friendly.’
“This means that we must ensure that girls have access to accurate and age-appropriate information on a wide range of topics, including sexual and reproductive health, mental health, and educational and career opportunities.
“We must make healthcare services even more easily accessible to girls, ensuring that their physical and emotional well-being is a top priority.
“Additionally, our systems, be it in education, healthcare, or the justice system, must be designed with the specific needs of girls in mind, ensuring girls can flourish in every sector of National development.”
The executive director stressed that for Nigeria to reach its full potential, it is important to recognize that girls are not just beneficiaries of our efforts but active agents of change.
“Our girls have the power to shape our society, and we must provide them with the tools and opportunities they need to do so.”
She expressed gratitude to Dr. Ajibade Adesola of Angelic HealthCare and the Executive Director of Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation for supporting the cause of the girl-child at the grassroots.
Also Speaking, Teniola Mary-Okolo, Deanery Coordinator, Missionary Childhood Association (MCA), Iba Deanary, said that the future of the girl-child is bright.
She urged the girl-child to aspire to be the best in the world.
She appreciated the organisers for the programme.
“I am happy that Iba Deanary MCA is part of the programme because I know that it is going to boost the future of the children,” Mary -Okolo said.
A teacher from one of the schools said that the society should give the girl-child an enabling environment to thrive.
For Blessing , a student and an Ambassador of the G-LAMP empowerment programme of GRADE, she sees a brighter future for the girl-child.
She noted that the programme helped her to now see herself as having the potential to excel in life and to compete with her peers in any part of the world.
“I am more empowered and confident now as a result of the leadership programme,” Blessing said.
