Edo State Government, through the Office of the First Lady, has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting girl-child empowerment and protection.
This affirmation was made by the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, during a meeting held at Government House in Benin City to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child. The meeting was organized by the office of the First Lady, in collaboration with Better Life Empowerment and Care Foundation (BeliEF and Care) with the theme, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead”.
Anani emphasized the crucial role of girls as agents of change in building a sustainable society, noting that Edo State Government, under the leadership of Senator Monday Okpebholo, prioritizes girl-child empowerment through initiatives like SHINE Agenda and Pad a Girl, focusing on education, healthcare, and equality.
According to her, “These efforts align with the initiative of the Office of the First Lady, which continues to champion projects that uplift and equip the girls for success. Our “Pad a Girl’ Project is an initiative where we intend to make sure that every girl uses a sanitary pad, not cloth or rags and in the Office, we will provide that for a year for every girl child across the three sanitary zones. Reaching out to girls in communities to ensure that no girl is left behind due to limited access to basic health and educational support”.
Reflecting on the year’s theme, the Coordinator described girls as strong, capable and active drivers of transformation, playing vital roles as leaders and change-makers despite facing various challenges.
She added, “This year’s theme serves as a powerful reminder that girls are not just beneficiaries of change, but active drivers of transformation in their homes, their schools, and the community in which you find yourself. As we reflect on the global and local challenges girls face, from Gender-Based Violence and limited access to education, to the effects of conflicts and climate change, we must also recognize their resilience and their vital role as leaders, innovators and change makers”.
Anani further called for stakeholders’ collaboration in empowering girls to lead with courage, compassion and conviction, emphasizing that their dreams are valid and their voices matter, to build a world where girls thrive and lead without limits.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Miss Sally Suleiman also shared her story of resilience, which was aimed to empower young girls to see beyond limitations and view boundaries as step stools.
