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| Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of the UNICEF Field Office for south-west Nigeria |
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued a call for urgent action to tackle the myriad challenges confronting adolescent girls, who are at increased risk of anemia and HIV and encounter significant barriers to education, employment, and training.
In a statement made available to journalists to commemorate
the 2024 International Day of the Girl, Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of the UNICEF
Field Office for south-west Nigeria, chronicled the challenges of adolescent
girls worldwide.
Lafoucriere, said, “Too many are being left behind,
confronted by extreme challenges that deny them their rights, restrict their
choices, and limit their futures.
“Today, one in five young women aged between 20 and 24 years
were married as children. Nearly one in four partnered/married adolescent girls
have experienced sexual or physical abuse.
“Globally, 75 percent of new HIV infections among
adolescents occur in girls. One in three adolescent girls suffer from anemia,
which is a form of malnutrition.
“Almost double the number of adolescent girls (one in four)
compared to boys are not in any form of education, employment, or training,” Chief
of the UNICEF Field Office lamented.
She stressed the need for strategic collaboration to ensure
the protection of every girl's rights, noting that the day is significant not
only for girls but for everyone committed to advocating for their rights.
This year's theme, "Girls’ Vision for the Future,"
resonates with findings from a recent UNICEF analysis, which highlights the
courage and hope exhibited by girls in the face of challenges,” she noted.
Lafoucriere expressed optimism about girls' potential to
respond positively to societal changes aimed at addressing their challenges,
saying, “The good news is that change is possible.”
However, she stressed that girls cannot effect this change
alone; they require allies who are willing to listen and respond to their
needs. "Together, we can build a future in which every girl's rights are
protected, Chief of the UNICEF Field Office asserted.
Lafoucriere remarked, "We see girls taking action every
day to realise the vision of a world where all girls are protected, respected,
and empowered.
“However, girls alone cannot bring about the desired change.
They need allies like you and me who listen to and respond to their needs.
Together, we can build a future where every girl's rights are protected.”
She further noted that with the right support, resources,
and opportunities, girls' potential is limitless worldwide. "When
girls achieve their goals, we all move closer to achieving our global
goals," Lafoucriere concluded, urging collective action to support girls
everywhere.
