Princess Augusta Aguinede, Founder and President of Compassion for Women and Youth Initiatives (CFYI-NGO Global), has joined the global community in celebrating the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, observed on Sunday, October 11.
She used the occasion to call for renewed commitment to protecting girls’ rights, ending child marriage and investing in their education, health and overall development.
The 2026 celebration, themed “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights!”, highlights the urgent need to protect girls from harmful practices and create opportunities for them to realise their full potential. Global estimates indicate that approximately one in five girls is married before the age of 18, with millions affected annually.
Princess Aguinede stressed that every girl deserves a safe environment, access to quality education and the freedom to pursue her dreams without discrimination, abuse or premature marriage.Reaffirming CFYI-NGO Global’s commitment to the welfare and empowerment of women and young people, Princess Aguinede called on governments, parents, community leaders, development partners and other stakeholders to intensify efforts towards safeguarding girls’ rights. She emphasised the importance of providing girls with quality education, accessible healthcare, essential social services and the skills needed to become responsible, independent and productive members of society.
According to her, investing in the girl child is an investment in the future of families, communities and the nation at large. She declared that “an empowered girl child is an empowered woman, and an empowered woman is an empowered nation.” CFYI-NGO Global, through its commitment to promoting the dignity, safety and well-being of women and young people, therefore urges everyone to support initiatives that create a brighter and more promising future for every girl child. The organisation continues to uphold its guiding slogan: “Touching Lives Meaningfully.”
