Post a comment 
The 2025 International Day of the Girl Child celebration in Kenema marked a defining moment for youth activism, as young girls moved beyond advocacy to demonstrate real leadership and solution-driven engagement.
Organized by the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA) in collaboration with development partners, the event was held at the Kenema District Council Hall under the theme, “Kenema Girls Speak Boldly: Solutions Begin Here – From Dialogue to Action, Girls Lead the Way.”
Hundreds of girls, teachers, community leaders, and representatives from partner organizations attended the vibrant dialogue, which placed girls at the heart of decision-making. Divided into six focus groups, participants examined critical issues such as school-related gender-based violence, child marriage, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, hygiene, cyberbullying, and sexuality education.
In powerful storytelling sessions, the girls not only shared experiences of discrimination and hardship but also proposed forward-thinking solutions to reshape their communities.
“We are not too young to understand our rights. We want to live in a Sierra Leone where girls are safe in schools, confident in communities, and supported to reach their dreams,” one participant declared, capturing the spirit of the event.
Their recommendations reflected maturity and innovation, calling for stronger school-based support networks to prevent gender-based violence, the engagement of parents and faith leaders to end child marriage, mentorship programs to combat teenage pregnancy, improved access to hygiene products, and comprehensive sexuality education in schools.
Government and civil society representatives commended the girls’ leadership and pledged to integrate their ideas into ongoing policy frameworks.
A MoGCA representative reaffirmed that the girls’ perspectives would directly inform the ministry’s future strategies, stating:
“These voices are not mere opinions; they are guiding policies. Every concern and solution raised here today will shape our approach going forward.”
As the conference concluded, a renewed sense of commitment and optimism filled the hall. The Kenema girls had not only spoken they had inspired action. Their courage and clarity of purpose sent a clear message: the journey from dialogue to action has begun, and the girls of Kenema are leading the way.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/100068969597270/posts/1124669896508653/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
