On the brisk morning of the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child, the echoes of a call to invest in girls’ rights reverberated through the corridors of Oyo State. Dr. Olukemi Afolayan, the State Director of the National Orientation Agency, stood at the forefront, urging citizens to champion the cause.
In commemoration of this global event on the 11th of October, Dr. Afolayan welcomed the executive members of ‘Ominira Obinrin,’ a women’s group, who paid a courtesy visit to congratulate her on assuming the role of State Director. Seizing the moment, she rallied adolescent girls to unite with advocates, emphasizing that a girl child’s rights were universal and non-negotiable.
Addressing the delegation, Dr. Afolayan expressed gratitude to ‘Ominira Obinrin’ for their efforts in mainstreaming gender parity and empowering women. With fervor, she declared that advocating for the girl child was pivotal in sculpting a future free from gender discrimination, political segregation, gender-based violence, and other impediments.
Asserting her stance, Dr. Afolayan highlighted the urgent need to bridge gender gaps, advance equality, and eliminate societal barriers. “It’s high time we closed gender gaps and advanced gender equality and social inclusion to let a girl child rule the world,” she declared passionately.
Quoting Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr. Afolayan underscored that gender equality was not just a fundamental right but a crucial foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. “We must create a level playing ground for girls to thrive,” she insisted.
Mrs. Temitope Braimah-Adegbola, the coordinator of ‘Ominira Obinrin,’ echoed gratitude to NOA for its consistent role in advancing girls’ and women’s rights. In conclusion, Dr. Afolayan urged for the creation of an open society where individuals unite to stand for the rights of girls, resonating a collective call to close gender gaps and build a more equitable future.