STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD

The National Gender and Equality Commission joins Kenya and the global community in commemorating this year’s International Day of the Girl Child. Established by United Nations Resolution 66/170, this day raises awareness about the unique challenges faced by girls, promotes their rights, and addresses gender inequalities. 

The theme for IDGC 2024 is "Girls' Vision for the Future".   

Girls around the world possess the creativity, intelligence, resilience, and drive to shape a future that is more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. Whether in classrooms, communities, boardrooms, or political stages, girls are emerging as leaders and changemakers. Their potential to inspire and create transformative change is boundless. When girls are empowered with education, opportunities, and the freedom to pursue their dreams, they not only enrich their own lives but contribute to the growth and progress of entire societies.  

Despite the potential, girls around the world encounter systemic barriers: including social, economic, and cultural, that disproportionately affect their lives. These include gender-based violence, limited access to quality education, and deeply ingrained societal norms that restrict their opportunities and voices.  Significant global gains in girls' empowerment have been achieved over the past few decades, driven by international efforts to promote gender equality, education, and women's rights. Substantial improvements targeting girls and women have been witnessed particularly in educational access, legal rights and protection, health and reproductive rights, participation and leadership, and cultural shifts and attitudes.  

Kenya has made progress in advancing the rights and welfare of girls. Key achievements have been registered in legislative, policy and programmatic initiatives. The Constitution guarantees gender equality, access to basic education, and protection from abuse, harmful practices, and all forms of violence1. Key legal frameworks, such as the Children Act, Prohibition of FGM Act, and Sexual Offences Act, reinforce these protections. Policy interventions like the National Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy and the National Policy for the Eradication of FGM provide further support for girls’ health and protection. Programmatically, initiatives like Free Primary and Secondary Education, the promotion of STEM education for girls, and the School Re-entry Policy for Teen Mothers among others have expanded educational opportunities and empowerment pathways.  The Commission lauds the Government and all stakeholders for the progress. 

Despite this progress, several challenges continue to undermine the full realization of girls' rights and aspirations in Kenya. While more girls are enrolling in school, retention rates remain low, particularly in rural and marginalized areas2. Child marriages and economic hardships force many to drop out prematurely (UNESCO, 2023). High rates of gender-based violence, including sexual exploitation and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), persist, while many girls from low-income families lack access to essential services like healthcare, sanitary products, and safe housing. Poverty deepens the inequality between boys and girls, limiting girls' potential to thrive. Additionally, limited access to digital tools and skills excludes many girls from benefiting from technological advancements, putting them at a disadvantage in the digital economy3.  

Addressing these challenges requires a multi-sectoral approach combining stronger legal enforcement, community engagement, educational support, economic empowerment, and the promotion of digital literacy.  We must take bold and innovative steps to address the challenges they face and ensure that their voices are heard and amplified in shaping their future.  

As we commemorate this day, the Commission calls upon the government, civil society, the private sector, and communities to: 

1. Strengthen the enforcement of laws against harmful practices such as FGM and child marriages; 

1. Increase access to quality education for all girls, especially in marginalized areas; 

1. Create mentorship programs that connect girls with women leaders in various fields, including politics, business, education, and science; 

1. Leverage digital technology for girls' empowerment by investing in digital literacy programs and affordable internet access to bridge the digital divide; 

1. Promote girls' participation in leadership and decision-making by creating platforms that enable their active involvement in policy-making processes; 

1. Conduct research and gather data on issues affecting the girl child to inform policy and programmatic interventions. 

The National Gender and Equality Commission commits to continue advocating for the rights of the girl child and the advancement of gender equality in Kenya. 

Happy International Day for the Girl Child 

 
Thomas O. Koyier, EBS 

Ag. Chairperson, National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC)