On the 11th of October every year, we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child. This is a day dedicated to recognizing the rights of girls and the unique challenges they face around the world.
The theme of 2024, ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future,’ resonates deeply, especially in Sierra Leone, where countless young girls are marginalized and denied the opportunity to dream or pursue a vision for their future due to child marriage, abuse, and lack of education.
According to UNICEF, “Girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only for their own benefit but for the benefit of their communities and societies.” According to available data, in Sierra Leone:
- 1 in 5 girls are married before age 18 (UNICEF, 2020)
- 40% of girls aged 15-19 experience physical or sexual violence (WHO, 2019)
- 44% of girls are out of school, compared to 32% of boys (Ministry of Education, SL, 2018)
This portrays the dire situation in Sierra Leone. Many girls still face significant barriers, such as early marriages, which rob them of their childhood and potential. Fortunately, there has been progress.
A Bold Step
In 2019, the Sierra Leonean Government took a bold step by passing the “Child Marriage Prohibition Act,” raising the minimum age of marriage to 18 (The Sierra Leone Telegraph). This legislation marks a significant victory for girls’ rights. However, its success largely depends on enforcement and a cultural shift by all citizens of Sierra Leone.
At Marie Stopes Sierra Leone (MSSL), our passion for empowering girls to pursue their dreams drives our relentless spirit. We work every day to put an end to teenage pregnancy. Our grassroot campaigns have yielded great success in keeping our Salone girls in school. We can’t overemphasize the importance of education in the path of empowerment.
Currently, we have 13 dedicated outreach teams spread across all districts of Sierra Leone, working tirelessly in schools to drive this key message home. Our message includes educating girls about sexual transmitted infections and its lifetime impact, challenges that come with unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions which could lead to permanent damage or death.
Bonthe Island Outreach Team Educating Girls at Saint Joseph High School
It Takes a Village
Parents and Guardians must understand that they hold the power to influence the future of the girls under their care. It is your responsibility to protect and empower them. Let your daughters know you are their champions in addition to being their parents, support their dreams and aspirations and importantly, ensure they have access to education and healthcare.
Our Government Officials and Stakeholders, our girls are looking to you to create and enforce laws that protect and uplift them. The bill that ended child marriage was a significant achievement, but it’s just the beginning. It is your duty to ensure that these laws are effectively implemented so that our girls can thrive in a world that often seeks to limit them. Create policies that promote girls’ education, health, and safety.
Dear Girl Child,
DARE TO DREAM!!! Hold onto your dreams and let no one imprison your mind. Despite any challenges you may face, remember that you have the power to imagine a brighter future for yourself. Look to the girls before you who have faced significant obstacles and thrived because they dared to dream. Now it’s your turn. Dream boldly, so that the girls who come after you can soar even higher, facing fewer hurdles. Dream, Girl, Dream!
Happy International Day of the Girl Child!
Sources:
- UNICEF (2020). Sierra Leone Country Office.
- World Health Organization (2019). Violence Against Women.
- Ministry of Education, Sierra Leone (2018). Education Data.