The concern around the world on the best approach and practices to help secure the future of the Girl-child was again brought to the fore recently at a programme organised by You Matter To Us Foundation in commemoration of the 2025 International Day of the Girl-child.
Over 300 girls from Lagos Education District IV, Yaba, and students from five Lagos State special schools gathered at the Lagos City College Multipurpose Hall, Yaba, to discuss this year’s theme, “The Girl I Am, The Change I need: Girls on the Frontline of Crisis.”
Omolara Ajetunmobi, founder of You Matter To Us Foundation, in her remarks, stated that the event was to increase awareness on the challenges facing the girl-child, at home, in schools, and in society, and how government and non-profit organisations must work together to educate and encourage them to rise above these challenges.

According to Ajetunmobi, the annual programme, now in its fourth edition, was inspired by her personal journey and desire to create opportunities she didn’t have as a young girl.
“As a young girl, I didn’t have access to mentors or events like this. I believe that from what we know, we should give back to these girls, to encourage them, and to let them know their dreams are valid. Life is not a bed of roses, but they must keep striving and never give up.
She added that the event also aims at building resilience and leadership skills in young girls by connecting them with role models and providing them with accurate information on issues affecting their well-being.

Different topics on personal hygiene, visualising and setting goals, taking charge of their future and daring to stand out against all odds were discussed.
Ayodele Fasuyi, Co-founder of Amani Health, while speaking on practical steps to turning their dreams into reality, opined that girls have a right to explore the horizon around them to enable them to attain the highest heights in their lives. However, this can only be possible when they visualise their future and set practical goals on how to achieve them. That way, they can have a road map of what to work towards in getting their dreams fulfilled.
“Paint a picture of who you want to be in ten years, regularly. Write it down and take steps to get there. That is how your dreams can become reality,” she charged.
Also speaking on menstrual health and hygiene, Bosede Ogidan, who is the Programmes Director, I-Teach For Nigeria and Founder, Period Talk-With-Bosede, enlightened the girls on the changes their bodies which their bodies undergo at puberty. She walked the girls through accurate calculations of their cycle and encouraged them to ask questions when they were not sure of certain information from friends and peers.
She educated them on the types of menstrual products that can be used to manage menstrual hygiene.
According to her, the world is getting innovative with menstrual products, hence the new menstrual cup, which is introduced to women with heavy flow.
Ogidan charged the boy-child not to be left out of the menstrual conversions.
“The boy-child should be informed because every boy either has a sister, aunt, cousin or a teacher who is a woman and needs to understand what they go through when the monthly period happens. They should stop laughing and shaming when they see a girl stained, but instead offer help.”
On the part of the government, Ogidan charged them to find a possible way of removing tax from sanitary pads to help children from low-income communities to be able to afford them. Adding that it is time for communities to work on having sanitary pad banks in various schools to help girls from these communities.
She advised parents or wards of teenagers should adopt natural methods such as drinking warm water during periods; using hot water bottles, or sachet water, wrap in towels and place them at their pelvic region to relieve pains. She also advised that young teenagers should eat more green vegetables and fruits as of junk food to help with cramps.

The event, which also featured a panel discussion, had Chidi KoldSweat, convener, Donors For Africa Foundation; Nneka Okuntola, CEO Nini Foods; Omobola Omofaiye, GM, Lenene Renewable Energies Division; and Engineer Ifeoluwa Oke, a seasoned technology entrepreneur, share their experiences on how they overcame challenges to get to where they are in their different careers.
Koldsweat encouraged the girls to believe in themselves always, adding that no one would save them from poverty, rather focus on what they can do to better themselves, and work hard towards achieving their goals by themselves.
“You are the architect of your own life. The society has made girls rely on men as their saviour; it’s high time we stop that belief and focus on what we can do to better ourselves. I want you all to go home believing in the potential God put in them. No matter what you go through in life, you are the only one who can determine the outcome of your life. There are so many opportunities to become whatever you dream of; go for it.