By Iniobong Irene Pepple, Esq., AICMC, McArb
Every October 11, the world pauses to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, a day to recognize the strength, brilliance, and leadership of girls everywhere. This year’s theme, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,” is not just a slogan; it is a truth and reality we are witnessing daily.
Across the world and right here in Nigeria, girls are not waiting for change; they are leading it. They are standing on the frontlines of crisis, using creativity and courage to rebuild communities, challenge injustice, and redefine what leadership looks like.
For too long, society has treated girls as promises for the future. But the truth is, they are a force for the present. Their dreams, energy, and voices are not things to be postponed. They are tools shaping the world right now.
You, girl, do not need permission to take up space.
Your voice is not too much.
Your dreams are not too big.
Education is your right. Safety is your right. Dignity is your right.
Your ideas belong everywhere, in classrooms, courtrooms, boardrooms, labs, studios, Senate, House of Representatives, and even in the UN and global spaces.
And to the girl who feels shut out or unseen, remember this: laws can be reformed. Cultures can evolve. Systems can be rebuilt. Narratives can be rewritten. Start where you are. Ask bold questions. Document your wins. Build with other girls. Insist on fairness.
But most importantly, learn the tools of your time; literacy, technology, and advocacy, and use them well. The world belongs to those who know how to use knowledge to solve problems, technology to connect, and advocacy to drive justice.
To families, leaders, and institutions: your role is crucial. Invest in girls’ education. Protect their bodies and data. End child marriage and gender-based violence. Fund girl-led initiatives. Create pathways into leadership, not someday, but now.
Girls, the change you carry is not fragile; it is foundational. Every time you speak up, study, create, or lead, you’re strengthening the future for all of us. Keep showing up with discipline, brilliance, and heart.
We see you. We stand with you. And together, we will shape a world where every girl is safe, educated, and unstoppable.
Happy International Day of the Girl. Lead on.
Iniobong Irene Pepple, Esq., AICMC, McArb
