The day girls met with Nigeria’s policymakers: "invest in us and we will build a better world"
Photo credit: Bruyante Media.
24-year-old Malala Fund Fellow, Jane, reflects on the day girls voiced their needs to policymakers at a Malala Fund Nigeria organized Day of the Girl event in Abuja. From policy demands and panel discussions to a painting session, young women came together to commemorate International Day of the Girl Child — as a celebration of their strength and creativity and give space for their education demands.
For too long, the voices and needs of women and girls have been ignored, marginalized, and pushed aside in critical conversations. Yet, no one understands their challenges and needs better than girls themselves. That was the central theme of the International Day of the Girl (IDG) event, where girls took centre stage to share their stories, articulate their visions, and demand real, measurable changes from Nigeria’s policymakers.
With excitement in the air, girls like Sa’adatu Saidu Idris, Halima Yusuf, Martha Doosun and Elizabeth Olowoyo stood tall, empowered by the knowledge that they are the experts in their own lives, speaking not just for themselves but for every Nigeria girl.
This was not just another event; it was a platform where girls took charge, from hosting the occasion to delivering powerful addresses, all aimed at a singular goal: demanding policy changes that would uplift girls and ensure their right to education.
Opening with a Vision: A Call for Policy Change
The event opened with a stirring address by Elizabeth Olowoyo, a member of the steering committee for the Girls’ Vision for Education Project at Malala Fund. She articulated the day's theme, Girls Vision: A Call to Action for Policy Change, setting the tone for a day that would not just be about conversation but about action. "Today, we celebrate the voices, strength, and resilience of girls all over the world," she began. "This day serves as a reminder of the amazing achievements made by girls worldwide, but also the obstacles they continue to face in accessing education and equality."
Her call was clear and urgent: Girls are counting on the next policy, the next bill, the next act—on this very event—to secure their futures. Nigeria, where over 7 million girls remain out of school, cannot afford to keep girls on the sidelines of conversations about their own futures. "We get excluded from conversations that affect us the most," Elizabeth reminded the policymakers in the room. "Women and girls need a seat at the table. When 50% of the population is ignored, there is no true development."
Stories of Strength and Survival
The event was also a platform for girls to share their personal stories, and none was more compelling than that of Martha Doosun Samuel, a 24-year-old Malala Fund Girl Fellow. Martha recounted her experiences as a survivor of child labor, which she endured to support herself through education. Coming from a family where only she, out of nine siblings, could read and write, Martha had become her own teacher, determined to make a difference in her life and the lives of others. Today, she’s not just a survivor but a mentor, training 50 girls to read and write.
"Even when girls are in school, they are not receiving the quality education they deserve," she emphasized. "We want to see quality education for girls. We want to see trained, passionate teachers."
The girls did not shy away from expressing what they wanted: policies free from gender-based violence, protection, access to quality education and gender-sensitive curricula, flexible school programs for teenage mothers, re-entry policies for young mothers, support for girls with disabilities, financial aid for underprivileged girls, safe school environments with WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities and inclusion in decision-making.
Most of all, As Sa’adatu Saidu Idris asserted, “We want participation. We want girls to be involved in decision-making processes because only girls know what we need. We demand education, protection, equity, and empowerment.”
A Panel with Policy Makers and Stakeholders
A crucial part of the event was the panel discussion, where representatives from the World Bank, the AGILE Project, and other key stakeholders in education shared their thoughts on how to meet the challenges girls face.
One of the panel's most powerful moments came from Deborah Evbotokhai, a member of the Nigerian Girl Guides, who did not mince words about the role of girls in decision-making. “It’s one thing to have roundtable discussions with policymakers and important personalities, but too often, in the end, the girls in those rooms are just told to ‘come and stand, let’s take pictures.’ And then a document is drafted without truly hearing our voices. Girls know best what they need!”
Deborah’s advocacy extended beyond mere inclusion; she demanded practical changes, particularly in the curriculum. "We need more practical learning—financial literacy, analytical thinking, budgeting—skills that will prepare us for the future."
“This was not just another event; it was a platform where girls took charge, from hosting the occasion to delivering powerful addresses, all aimed at a singular goal: demanding policy changes that would uplift girls and ensure their right to education.”
The Call for Gender-Sensitive Education
As the event progressed, one message became clear: girls need more than just access to education; they need an education system that works for them. Halima Yusuf, another Malala Fund Fellow, delivered a compelling call for gender-sensitive curricula, teacher training on gender awareness, and inclusive schools equipped with sanitation facilities. "Girls are already fighting battles at home and in society to get an education," she said. "Why should they then have to fight for quality education and safety at school?"
Photo credit: Bruyante Media.
The Sip and Paint: Solidarity in Art
The event concluded with a touching "Sip and Paint" session, where each girl, armed with an easel and canvas, recreated a piece of art in solidarity with their sisters in Afghanistan who have been denied access to education. For many of the girls, it was their first time painting, but the session was a powerful reminder of the shared struggle for education faced by girls around the world.
The event was more than just a commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child; it was a powerful demand for action. As Sherifat Tanimu, a passionate girl education advocate, said in her address, “Girls are the future leaders, innovators, and changemakers. Our education is the foundation upon which our dreams are built. We call on you to pass legislation supporting girls' education and rights. Invest in us, and we will build a better world.”
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