On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. Adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years but also as they mature into women. If effectively supported during the adolescent years, girls have the potential to change the world – both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders. An investment in realizing the power of adolescent girls upholds their rights today and promises a more equitable and prosperous future, one in which half of humanity is an equal partner in solving the problems of climate change, political conflict, economic growth, disease prevention, and global sustainability.

The event was attended by over 500 female students of FGGC and messages focused on the Rights of the Girl Child, leadership & decision-making, quality education, gender equality and empowerment, involvement in politics, etc, were passed.

MDF, in addition, engaged the students in health education sessions focusing on the Human Papillomavirus and awareness of the introduction and uptake of the HPV vaccine in Nigeria. MDF in partnership with Pink Africa plans to screen the participants for HPV for free, including HPV vaccination in the coming week.

The team also carried out sensitization on menstrual hygiene best practices and practical demonstration on the appropriate use of sanitary pads. MDF as part of her advocacy distributed free sanitary pads to all participants to curb or mitigate the deleterious effects occasioned by unhealthy menstrual practices.

Speaking earlier on behalf of the school management, the Principal of FGGC, Mrs. Eno Bassey, welcomed the MDF Team and expressed gratitude that FGGC, Calabar had been selected to commemorate the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child. She called for continued visits and advocacies to the school to further sensitize the students on health issues and career sessions for societal development.

This year's theme for the commemoration is “Invest in Girls' Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being”