Yours and Mine: Every Voice Counts in Empowering the African Girl-Child
When it was time to get a bank account for our EMTAG Foundation, I was bequeathed the task and on a fateful day, I was at the bank to commence the process. As I sat across the desk from the bank official, his surprise was palpable. His puzzled expression silently asked the question: “Why is a man like you spearheading a girl-child-based organization?” Just while I thought this way, he mustered the conviction to ask me the question. It was a question I had encountered before, but each time it was asked, it only fuelled my determination to advocate for gender equality and empowerment.
I took a deep breath, ready to articulate my passion for this cause. “You see,” I began,
“gender equality isn’t just a women’s issue; it’s a human issue. When we invest in the education and empowerment of girls, we’re not just benefiting them, but society as a whole.”
I went on to explain that by providing girls with access to education, we’re not only giving them the tools to build better lives for themselves but also creating a positive impact on families, communities, and economies. Among other things, educated girls are more likely to earn higher incomes, thereby, creating healthier and more prosperous societies. They are also better informed in their life-implicating decisions such as marriage, childbearing, infectious diseases, hygiene and overall well-being.
I emphasized that gender equality shouldn’t be viewed as a zero-sum game where one gender’s gain is the other’s loss. Instead, it’s about creating a level playing field where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive based on their abilities and talents, regardless of gender.
As I spoke, I could see the bank official’s scepticism gradually melting away, replaced by understanding and perhaps even a hint of admiration. He nodded along as I recounted stories of girls whose lives had been transformed by education, their dreams no longer limited by societal expectations or gender norms.
By the time I finished speaking, the bank official seemed genuinely inspired. “I never looked at it that way,” he admitted. “But you’re right. Empowering girls isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do.”
With that, I left the bank, feeling a sense of satisfaction knowing that I had planted a seed of change in someone’s mind. As I walked away, I couldn’t help but think that if more people, men and women alike, understood the importance of girl-child empowerment, the world would be a much fairer and more equitable place for all.
Gender equality is not solely a concern for women but a universal issue that requires the involvement and support of people of all genders. Education equips girls with the knowledge and skills to pursue their aspirations and brings many benefits for families, communities, and economies. Anyone can be an advocate for gender equality, irrespective of societal expectations and individual actions can bring about broader societal change. Be that individual in your community and beyond.
Written by Peter Ogohi Salifu