By Libuseng Nyaka
QWAQWA – The Kholokoe traditional council alongside the department of Labour, Health, University of Free State and Maluti TVET College celebrated International Girl Child Day at Makholokoe on October 11 2024 in a bid to empower girl children.
The celebration at Makholokoe council, a deeply rural poverty-stricken area, is in line with the United Nation’s declaring this day October 11, 2024 as International Girl Child Day.
In an interview with this publication, one of the organisers of this event Kgosatsana Puleng Moloi Molaba, said the day focuses on the need to address challenges girls face every day to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.
“A girl child has the right to be safe, educated and a healthy life. When the girl child is supported and empowered, she has a potential to change the world. Kholokoe Traditional council saw the need to host such an event so that our girls can know that we care about their future, and we are here to help them and put a smile on their face.”
One of the girls in attendance, Thando Mbatha (130, described this day as very important and an eye opener.
“This day is very important in equipping us with necessary information to tackle challenges of this world. We are the most vulnerable group and always targeted by the opposite gender. If we know our rights, we can report any abuse or mishap,” said.
For her part Child care forum in Harrismith ‘s Dineo Khiba said the importance of a girl child program ii helping girls that are in need and also showing them they are appreciated.
Girls from various schools in Harrismith celebrating international girls rights day at Makholokoe traditional council.
“Because most of young girls are being abused and they do not open up since we did the program, we manage to reach to young girls and they can talk to talk and open as a result they are able to get help and also benefit from our programs like receiving donation of sanitary towels,” Khiba said.
According to Morena Ernest Moloi, Kholokoe has been celebrating this event since 2022, focusing on little girls in grades 5, 6 and 7 who are mainly from very poor families or households.
“Three hundred and eight girls from six identified primary schools in the greater Harrismith have received sanitary towels hygienic pack and were also provided with lunch,” Moloi said.
The day emanated from the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing where countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and platform for action as the most progressive blue print ever for advancing the rights of not only women but girls. On December 19, the 2011 United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.
This year’s theme conveys both the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future.
