As the world observed International Day of the Girl Child on October 11th, several organizations in Kibera came together over the weekend at DC Grounds to celebrate the milestone. This year marks the 12th anniversary since the world began recognizing this important day, and in Kibra, the progress is evident, with girls leading the charge in the event.
One of the participants was a 20-year-old teen mom, whose name has been withheld, a student in one of the schools in Kibra. After giving birth, she was able to return to school thanks to the support of CFK Africa, an NGO in Kibera dedicated to championing girls’ rights.
“I am proud to be in school despite being a young mother. Today, I celebrate that I have access to professional help whenever I need someone to talk to, and if I face abuse, I know where to report and seek justice,” she shared.
Asia Suleiman, Senior Assistant Chief of Kibera Sub-location, emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that more girls stay in school. “As a government administrator, one of our key roles is to ensure girls are in school. We’ve seen an increase in the number of girls attending schools in Kibera, and today, I celebrate our partnerships with NGOs to help our girls achieve their dreams.”
This year’s theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” resonated with many as girls from different organizations shared their aspirations during a panel discussion. Linesey Ayako, a 12-year-old from Olympic Primary, expressed her hopes for a supportive environment for girls. “I want to live in a community where everyone knows girls’ rights, where every school has emergency sanitary pads, and where girls can approach male teachers without fear of being shamed if they have an accident.”
Veronica Mbengi, a 13-year-old from St. Juliet Education Center, voiced her vision for respect and dignity. “I want to live in a world where girls are respected and where people donate pads without exploiting us.”
The day’s importance extends beyond the girls themselves. Odhuno Oliva, a community volunteer who has worked with various organizations in Kibera since the early 2000s, highlighted its broader impact on the community: “International Day of the Girl Child is not only important for girls but also for the entire community. As a father and a boy child advocate, I take pride in nurturing boys to support and champion girls’ rights.”
The event was organized by CFK Africa, Making A Difference Sisters, and Superbs CBO, which are all dedicated to improving the well-being of girls in Kibera through mentorship, sports, and advocacy for their rights.
