The Girl Child: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow!

The world celebrated International Day of the Girl Child or Day of Girls this week 11^th of October and it made me think back with nostalgia to my childhood.

We played outside all day long and grew up on storybooks; television didn’t start until 4pm in the evening so we kept ourselves busy outdoors.

Sisters and brothers, cousins and neighbours’ children;

Games such as hopscotch, “ten ten” a (proudly Nigerian) children’s game, playing catch, flying kites made out of old newspaper and broomsticks, using leftovers from a starchy food known as gari as our glue! And what about the ever present “mummy & daddy” game, with some girl making a meal out of sand.

Those were simple times

Yet even then, back in the day;

There were lots of girls (and some boys too) who were not safe in their own homes.

Unfortunately, in this day and age there are lots of girls who are abused by those who should protect them.

To the many young girls on this planet, keep pushing for what you believe in.

So I want to say a prayer for the girl child in Afghanistan and around the world, whose only crime is being born female.

 And a prayer for every young female athlete who has been verbally and sexually abused by those who were supposed to protect them, when all they ever wanted was to bring glory to their countries.

And what about the African girl child who is made to believe she is only good for the kitchen and “the other room” and the size of the dowry she can bring home; yes, I’m praying for them too.

As I write this, a children’s song from my past slips into my mind;

Jesus loves the little children

All the children of the world

Red and yellow, black and white

All are precious in His sight

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

To the many young girls all around this planet like Malala Yousafai and Zuriel Oduwole who believe in education and do not wish to be child brides you have my respect, keep pushing for what you believe in. For Leah Sharibu, the teenage girl with the conviction to stand for her faith, and the Chibok girls still in captivity, you are not forgotten;

To everyone one who gave me a safe childhood, I am grateful:

The vendor selling newspaper on the rail along our school route, who always made space for my elder sister and I to read comics without being disturbed in his stall; thank you for creating a safe place for two young voracious readers, “your girls” are now an accomplished professor and dental surgeon.

To the uncle who would take all of us out to the beach among many other outings, (how we all fit into a Volkswagen beetle, I would never know!) it was such fun with my sisters, many cousins and brother, we were safe in your keeping and I can only thank you.

Little girl, God cares for you, He created you in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13) and He says you are mine (Isaiah 43:1).

To everyone fighting for a better life for the girl child, great job, yet there are still many hurdles to cross, and for those who desperately want to save the planet, how about starting with the female human capital first?     

I’d love to hear from you, so send in your comments or send in an email. Let’s talk!

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See you soon

Abimbola