By Stephen Adeleye.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria, has called for supportive programs and policies that would expand access to healthcare, including sexual and reproductive health services for adolescent girls and young women in Akwa Ibom.
This call to action was made during the commemoration of the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, held at Community Commercial Secondary School, Ikot Oku, Ubo, Offot, Uyo.
The International Day of the Girl, is observed annually on October 11, to celebrate girls’ accomplishments, amplify their voices, and advocate for policies that protect their health and futures.
The theme of 2025 celebration is, “The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontline of crisis.”
According to AHF, over 4,000 young women aged 15-24 are infected with HIV weekly, with more than 3,300 of those cases in sub-Saharan Africa.
This alarming statistic highlights the need for increased investment in prevention, testing, and treatment programs for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), as well as comprehensive sexuality education.
The Nigeria Country Programmes Director of AHF, Dr Echey Ijezie, emphasized the importance of protecting girls from HIV, honoring their achievements, and expanding opportunities for them to thrive and stay healthy.
He called for actions to address period poverty, promote comprehensive sexuality education, and combat gender-based violence and child marriage, which are key drivers of health inequality.
In her keynote address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Akwa Ibom, Hon. Inibehe Silas Etukudo, noted that despite the challenges girls face in the state, they are still breaking barriers in all their endeavors.
She promised to create opportunities for girls to be heard, their leadership nurtured, and their potentials unleashed.
Speaking with the State Cordinator of AHF, Dr. Ekemini Essien, he noted that girls worldwide are disproportionately affected by HIV AIDS and face abuse with limited opportunities. Urgent action is needed to empower girls with tools, knowledge, and skills.
Essien encouraged girls to be resilient and focused for a secure future.
Jessica Charles, the linkage Cordinator of AHF, emphasized the importance of girl-child empowerment beyond economics. Access to information, healthcare, education, and decision-making is crucial. Girls should stand tall and speak up against abuse.
In an interview, Rhoda Vincent, Speaker of Akwa Ibom State Children’s Parliament, thanked AHF for empowering girls in Sexual Health Right and gender equality.
She reminded girls of their role as change makers and encouraged them to stay focused and dedicated, especially regarding menstrual hygiene.
The occasion included the distribution of disposable and reusable sanitary pads, toiletries, and a discussion on menstrual hygiene.
The AHF and government officials at the occasion made several key recommendations, including: Increased investment in healthcare and education; Promotion of comprehensive sexuality education; and Addressing period poverty and menstrual hygiene.
Other recommendations were: Combating gender-based violence and child marriage; and Empowering girls with necessary tools, knowledge, and skills to excel.
The commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child served as a reminder of the importance of empowering girls and ensuring they have access to quality education, healthcare, and opportunities to thrive.
The AHF’s call for increased access to healthcare and supportive policies is a step towards creating a brighter future for adolescent girls and young women in Akwa Ibom.
