Girl child advocates, civil societies and communities have urged decision-makers at all levels to stop politicising issues affecting girls, and instead protect their rights and future.
Speaking during celebrations that marked the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11 2025, Lydia Achieng, an advocate of girls rights called on leaders to treat the protection and empowerment of girls as a national responsibility rather than a political agenda.
“The challenges facing girls are not political,they are human,” said Achieng.
Brenda Kalekye, a board member at Polycom Girls,emphasized the importance of proper budgeting for girls’ programs and ensuring that girls themselves are represented at decision-making tables. She noted that while many development plans mention gender inclusion, few allocate sufficient funds to sustain impactful programs.
“When girls are part of the conversations that determine their future, the solutions become more practical, inclusive and lasting. We cannot talk about empowering girls if they are not represented in spaces where decisions about their lives are made,” added Kalekye.
Kelvin Ouma, a male champion, shared the need to involve boys and young men in promoting gender equality. He emphasized that empowering the girl child cannot succeed in isolation if the boy child is left behind.
“We must raise a generation of boys who see girls as partners, not competitors,” said Ouma.He explained that mentorship programs for boys are crucial in shaping positive attitudes, respect and shared responsibility.
“When boys are guided to understand the value of equality they become allies in protecting and supporting girls,” he added.
Esther Mutsavi, a menstrual hygiene champion and community educator, noted that period poverty remains one of the biggest barriers to education and dignity for many girls in informal settlements.
She urged both national and county governments to prioritize menstrual hygiene management in their budgets, ensuring consistent supply of sanitary products and proper sanitation facilities in schools.
“Menstrual health is not a luxury, it’s a right. When we invest in it, we invest in a girl’s confidence, education and future,” she added.
Under the theme “The Girl I Am, the Change I Lead,Girls on the Frontline of Crisis,” this year’s global commemoration sought to amplify the voices of girls who are shaping change in their communities, amid crisis like poverty, conflicts and inequality.
