Ghana yesterday joined the world to mark the International Day of the Girl Child under the theme: ‘The power of Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2013’.
The day which is marked annually on October 11, highlights issues concerning the gender inequality facing young girls around the world.
In Ghana, the day was commemorated focusing on issues affecting the girl child such as child marriage, lack of access to school, prostitution, inadequate information and services related to puberty and reproductive health.
Although awareness has been created in the past about the issues affecting children, it appears we still have a long way to go in getting a hand on the issues. Children continue to face challenges – which is why the day is relevant.
It is estimated that there are nearly 600 million girls aged 10 to 19 in the world today, each with limitless individual potential, however, society does not seem to support them fully.
Locally, the girl child continues to face child marriage, sexual abuses, violence and discrimination in many respects including education.
As we join the world to mark the day, we wish to join in highlighting the unique challenges facing not only the girl child, but all children in the country.
The well being of all children should be the concern of all, especially parents whose foremost responsibility is to cater for his/her children.
Unfortunately, many parents as well as communities have neglected to ensure the well being of the children. We continue to hear very bad treatment children undergo in the hands of adults who are expected to protect them.
What is worse, society, including agencies mandated to cater for the needs of children are not doing what they are supposed to be doing far children. As a result, many children are left to their fate to fend for themselves.
The high incidents of rape, violence and teenage pregnancy among others against children is as a result of society’s negligence and lack of commitment to seek the well being of children.
As we mark the day, it is important to focus our attention on the challenges facing children in order to solve them.
We have deliberately focused our attention on all children because we are of the view that all children are currently facing similar problems all over the world. It is important we tackle them holistically so that no child is left behind.
Child neglect is a global phenomenon and it is appropriate that attention is focused on all children and not only the girl child.
Although belated, we wish all children a happy day.
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