Eldoret: Young girls have been urged to be bold and confident when standing up for their rights. This was the message delivered to teenage girls during celebrations marking the International Day of the Girl Child 2025 in Uasin Gishu County under the theme 'The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis'.
According to Kenya News Agency, the International Day of the Girl Child, celebrated on October 11, highlights the importance of girls' rights, promotes their empowerment, and addresses the inequalities and challenges they face globally. During the celebrations at the county headquarters in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu Women Representative, Gladys Boss Shollei, emphasized Kenya's journey on women empowerment, which began with the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995. She noted the day was set aside to empower young girls for future leadership roles.
Shollei highlighted the specific challenges girls face, such as early pregnancies, lack of proper education, and gender-based violence, making them vulnerable in their communities. She stressed the importance of keeping girls in school by addressing basic needs like sanitary towels, which can prevent them from missing school due to menstrual cycles. Shollei underscored that empowering women is crucial for personal and societal advancement, noting that women make up 52% of Kenya's population.
The Women's Representative advised participants on the importance of wise time management, surrounding oneself with positive influences, and engaging in activities that foster personal growth. She emphasized the significance of empowering women in decision-making roles, especially in male-dominated contexts, and encouraged young girls to be resilient and self-assertive.
Shollei also advocated for the inclusion of sex education in the school curriculum to prevent early sexual activities. She suggested that schools should have a parapsychologist to study paranormal phenomena alongside a chaplain.
Former IPOA Commissioner Praxedes Tororey remarked that the celebration serves as a reminder of the need for continuous support for the girl child to ensure equal future opportunities and leadership roles for women. Tororey called upon all girls to stand up and fight for their rights, emphasizing that a happy girl contributes to a happy home.
All stakeholders present called for concerted efforts to tackle the challenges faced by the girl child, such as new HIV infections, adolescent pregnancies, and sexual and gender-based violence, to ensure girls thrive in life.