The International Day of the Girl Child took center-stage on October 11, 2024, celebrated under the powerful theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future” in Kajiado County. Thus, this was an event that brought together government officials, community leaders, and most importantly, girls, in a manner that amplified their voices and aspirations with regard to girls’ empowerment and leadership development.

The event aimed at inspiring girls to lead and take charge of their futures by providing a platform where they were the main focus in sharing their dreams, experiences and mapping a way for their leadership journey. The first highlight of the event was the participation of 60 members from AIC Nyayo Girls, one of the schools supported by Break Free Alliance. These girls moved the audience with poems of expression: empowerment through talent, passion, and dedication for social change.

Present in court was one of the most admirable figures: Priscilla Pilale, the Tuseme patron of AIC Nyayo Girls, recognized as a champion against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Kajiado County. She struggled tirelessly to fight against FGM and for girls’ rights, which was highly saluted to show how grassroots leadership plays a big role in changing society.

The government’s commitment to girl empowerment was further manifested in the attendance of principal secretaries representing both the State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action and the State Department for Parliamentary Affairs. Their messages reminded me that every girl deserves the right to dream and have the means to make her vision a reality. These words were further cemented by the government through the inclusion of women chiefs and leaders on the stage, where they also reiterated their commitment to helping bring an end to harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation and early child marriages. The distribution of menstrual hygiene products to girls and young mothers attending the event was a tangible demonstration of the government’s commitment to improving girls’ health, education, and overall well-being.

Key Recommendations:
1. Sanitary Towels Access: Making sure that each girl in Kajiado County has sanitary products, especially around their schools and localities, is quite a crucial aspect.
2. FGM prevention could be bolstered: Communities really need to be more focused on education and stronger laws and provide support for survivors of FGM if it is ever to be eradicated in totality.
3. Early Child Marriages: In addressing early child marriages, it can be bettered through policies and programs aimed at halting child marriages, simultaneously helping those who are already affected.
4. Promoting Sexual Education: Detailed lessons on sexual health should be included in the school curricula. This may help equip the young girls with the information they need about relationships and whatever relates to reproductive health.
5. Supporting Teen Mothers: By providing young mothers with healthcare access along with the counseling services. This could lead to higher education access and higher school retention.

This was a strong reminder in the closing that girls are the backbone of society. We are securing a future where girls can reach their full potential and contribute significantly to their communities by investing in their dreams through health, education, and community involvement. We are unable to build a more equitable society where girls may thrive unless the government, civic society, and community leaders work together. Let’s all work together and continue to support the vision of each girl.