AOKO ESTHER: Give girls chance to be heard, they deserve it

Girls have always had the desire and passion to change the world, but this passion and desire are often dimed by social norms, social beliefs, and gender inequality.

However, these social constraints make it difficult for girls to know and defend their rights.

It is time for the world to not only take notice of girls’ capabilities but also create an environment where girls will feel supported, respected, and heard.

They continue to be denied an opportunity to exercise their basic human rights simply because they are girls.

We can't achieve equality if the world continues to ignore the inherent power and potential of girls.

Our society needs to ensure girls are allowed to learn in a way that makes sense to them.

It is important to involve girls and listen to what they have to say when making decisions that will impact their lives.

Girls globally want to push boundaries and remove obstacles that are preventing them from realising their full potential.

They want their voices heard to contribute to society and to lead lives that can and will transform their communities.

They most definitely do not need people to tell them what to do and limit their potential.

It is important to note that girls are the experts in their own needs, all they need is to be given the opportunity, skills, and support to make their voices heard.

As International Day of the Girl Child approaches, it is now more crucial than ever that we need to get loud about the importance and the potential of girls.

It is time for us to create a new normal where girls are seen as experts and not victims, we want to be on the giving end and not the receiving end

This shouldn’t be confined to just one day because girls’ rights and voices are important every day.

It is crucial to put us in the lead and provide a safe space where our voices can not only be heard but also valued and taken seriously.

Once we can know and exercise our rights, we will not only be able to advocate for change in our lives but also in our communities and around the world.

It is time for us to create a new normal where girls are seen as experts and not victims, we want to be on the giving end and not the receiving end.

I urge government, leaders and society at large to make it a point to give girls platforms to speak, make decisions,  learn about their rights, and how to exercise them and most importantly start viewing girls as equal partners in every aspect of development.

The writer is a girls rights advocate, programme intern at She’s the First

 

Edited by Kiilu Damaris