Nigeria National Assembly: Plenary proceedings, House of Reps, Thur, October 10th, 2024
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen presided.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen presided.
By Surabhi Shrivastava
By Ejiro Umukoro
#DMIS24 #RWN
In a significant boost to global health, women-led initiatives are taking center stage in the fight against cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The Geneva-based Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), founded in 1933, is at the forefront of this movement with over 1,100 member organizations in more than 170 countries and territories.
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
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen presided.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen presided.