As the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child 2025, it affords us the opportunity to further evaluate the girl child in a dynamic world, in a world that urgently needs to harness her human resources without exception to forge a better world.

As we increasingly move from the era of women education (and potentials) ending in the kitchen, we must train the girl child to dream dreams, to lead the change (This year’s theme is “The girl I am, the change I lead; Girls in the front lines of crisis”) or be a party to leading the change for a better world. Our girls must grow up and live in a world where unjust and “unbiological” gender discrimination is historical, where inequality and the myth look and indeed are anachronistic.

We must prioritise equal and appropriate education for the girl child, both within the family and institutions of learning. Most importantly, we must stand up against the sexual grooming of underage girls, the objectification of the girl child and all forms of sexual exploitation. Together we can create a better world for all. RIDD celebrates the Girl Child and her future.

Written by
Chukwu C. Ikechukwu