Reflections on the UN Summit: Beyond Silos and Dynamics of Gender, Power and Youth Voices
By Surabhi Shrivastava
By Surabhi Shrivastava
By Ejiro Umukoro
#DMIS24 #RWN
In this special LightRay! Media Empowering a Brighter Future: Celebrating the International Day of the Girl Child series, we put together a collage of young African teens and adults between the ages of 11 to 25 who are spreading their #BlackGirlMagic across the globe.
October 11th marks the International Day of the Girl Child, a global observance declared by the United Nations in 2012. This day serves as a catalyst for promoting girls’ empowerment, advocating for their rights, and addressing the unique challenges they face. The theme “My Voice, Our Equal Future” emphasizes the importance of listening to girls’ voices as well as boys to create a more equitable world.
The International Day of the Girl Child highlights the disparities and inequalities that girls encounter daily, including:
– Limited access to education and healthcare
– Child marriage and teenage pregnancy
– Gender-based violence and discrimination
– Lack of representation in leadership and decision-making
However, empowering girls is only half the equation. To create a truly inclusive and equitable society, it’s essential to engage and educate boys as well. By involving boys in the conversation, we can:
– Break down harmful gender stereotypes
– Foster healthy relationships and mutual respect
– Promote positive masculinity
– Encourage boys to become allies and advocates for girls’ rights
On this International Day of the Girl Child, we recognize that empowering both girls and boys is crucial for achieving:
– Gender equality
– Social justice
– Economic growth
– Sustainable development
In celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, we shine a spotlight on remarkable young Black girls who are breaking barriers and achieving excellence in STEM, writing, speaking, and career achievements. Their stories serve as inspiration and testament to the potential of girls everywhere.
When Ikhide R. Ikheloa, a renowned literary critic and writer, posted on his Facebook wall: “African literature is suffering from a dearth of courageous innovation. Gifted, but timid writers are doing the same thing over and over again. Writing book after book after book that few read in Africa. We have scores of African literary journals that no one but the contributors read. Get over your pride and arrogance and collaborate to produce one truly powerful and innovative journal. No, we are not wired like that! SMH!”, he echoed a concern that LightRay Media has consistently highlighted: the need for an intentional and well-thought-out strategy to address the creative stagnation or literary drought sweeping across the African continent, particularly in Eastern, Western, and Southern Africa. Ejiro Umukoro expands on this critical issue.
By Ejiro Umukoro
Every May 28 marks world menstrual hygiene day, it’s a day to raise awareness about the importance of good menstrual hygiene, ensure access to menstrual products for all, and break the stigmas associated with menstruation. But it’s quite unfortunate we are yet to achieve this, especially in Nigeria.
Photo Credit: Alexander Sergienko.
The protest, a testament to the power of unity and collective action, sent a clear message to the government: that the intimidation and harassment of journalists will no longer be tolerated. The arbitrary arrests, detentions, and harassment of journalists have become all too familiar in Nigeria, with many facing trumped-up charges and intimidation tactics for simply doing their job.
By Collins Odigie Ojiehanor
The #DontPoliceMySpeech protest at the Federal Ministry of Justice saw a remarkable turnout! We were thrilled to see a large number of young journalists, under 30, passionately advocating for press freedom. The significant representation of women, outnumbering men, was an encouraging sign of a brighter future for journalism an women’s advocacy within the media landscape. As we fight for the rights of journalists and citizens alike, it’s heartening to see the next generation of journalists stepping up to carry the baton. Together, we’ll ensure the power of the pen and voice never fades. #All4One&One4All” – ED, LightRay! Media.
Rethinking victimhood, Umukoro advocates for a culture of mental resilience and emotional empowerment.
Press freedom and literature are interconnected in several ways, and foremost of which, is Freedom of Expression. Press freedom is a fundamental right that allows journalists and writers to express themselves without censorship or fear of retribution. Literature, as a form of creative expression, also relies on this freedom to explore ideas, themes, and stories without restriction.
Press Freedom and literature also interconnects with regards to Access to Information. A free press ensures that citizens have access to accurate and unbiased information, which is essential for informed public discourse. Literature, in turn, can provide unique perspectives and insights into the human experience, fostering empathy and understanding.
Press Freedom and literature is about Holding Power Accountable. Press freedom enables journalists to hold those in power accountable for their actions as clearly directed by Section 22 of the Nigeria constitution as an important requirement of journalists.
Literature can also serve as a means of social commentary and critique, challenging societal norms and political systems.
Press Freedom and literature is also about Cultural Preservation and Promotion. Literature is a vital part of cultural heritage, and press freedom helps ensure that diverse voices and stories are represented and preserved. This allows literature to continue shaping culture, influencing public opinion, and inspiring future generations.
Journalism as Literature allows the creative mental space for some journalists and writers to blend the lines between reporting and storytelling, using literary techniques to convey complex issues and human experiences. This intersection highlights the importance of press freedom in enabling writers to craft compelling narratives that inform and engage the public.
It is this reason, we believe inspired the United States Agency for Global Media to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day focused on bringing journalists from across the continents to discuss the book, DISTORTION by Ejiro Umukoro.