Uasin Gishu Set to Host National Girl Child Commemoration
he civil society actors and local leaders have been holding a series of meetings to complete the plans and mobilize participants for the event.
Kenya has this year selected Uasin Gishu County to host the national celebrations. The civil society actors and local leaders have been holding a series of meetings to complete the plans and mobilize participants for the event.
By Juliet Jerotich
Preparations for the International Day of the Girl Child are underway, and the Department of Social Protection is working closely with Hope for Kenya Slums Adolescents Initiative (HKSAI), the Uasin Gishu County Civil Society Network and other development partners to ensure the event becomes a success. The event, which is observed worldwide every October 11, was initiated by the United Nations in 2012 to underscore the rights of girls, the challenges they face, and the need to invest in their empowerment.
Kenya has this year selected Uasin Gishu County to host the national celebrations. The civil society actors and local leaders have been holding a series of meetings to complete the plans and mobilize participants for the event. Speaking during a planning meeting on Wednesday with the technical committee, Chief Officer for Gender and Social Protection, Marion Birgen, said that most of the logistic arrangements are already in place. She pointed out that the county is ready to host the event and was sure it will be memorable and meaningful.
Birgen added that the 2025 celebrations are particularly significant since they also mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Adopted in 1995, the declaration is regarded as the most comprehensive international roadmap for promoting gender equality and the rights of women and girls. This anniversary, Birgen added, should inspire all Kenyans to reaffirm their commitment to opening more opportunities for girls and recognizing the vital role they play in shaping the nation’s future.
She stated that the International Day of the Girl Child was symbolic, calling it a powerful reminder to listen to girls, to applaud their achievements, and to open doors for them to thrive. She also called on citizens from across the nation to observe the day by empowering girls in their communities proactively. “Let’s applaud their achievements and amplify their voices.”. Their potential is limitless, and we as a nation need to do everything possible to ensure that their dreams are realized,” she said.
As the countdown gets underway to October 11, anticipation is growing for what is shaping up to be a vibrant national celebration. Government representatives, civil society organizations, educators, and youths will gather in Uasin Gishu to participate in activities that will empower the rights of girls and commemorate their contribution towards achieving a more balanced society. The commemoration will not only reflect on the progress made so far but will also be a call to action to address the persisting challenges that still keep girls from reaching their full potential.
By putting the whole country’s spotlight on the plight and promise of girls, this year’s commemoration underscores the fact that empowering them contains the key to more resilient communities and a brighter future for all.
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