Girls around the world continue to face unprecedented challenges to their education, their physical and mental wellness, and the protections needed for their well-being.

Empowering girls and promoting gender equality in ending all forms of discrimination against girls is not only a basic human right, but it also has a multiplier effect across all other development areas.

As we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, we need to create awareness about the rights of girls and to give girls the same opportunities as everyone else, which will facilitate the removal of gender-based biases.

Girls should have equal opportunities to complete their education. They should feel safe while in school. Girls should acquire adequate knowledge and skills to compete in all spheres of life. They should be enabled to learn the life skills necessary to navigate and adapt to a world which is fast changing.

A girl child needs to be mentored and taught the proper values that will improve her self-worth. A girl child needs to be provided for, cared for, cherished and loved.

A girl child needs to be affirmed repeatedly that she is priceless.

Every day, girls are breaking boundaries and barriers, tackling issues like child marriage, education inequality, violence, climate justice, and inequitable access to healthcare.

Girls are proving that they are unstoppable.

Written by Bintially Mfangavo