Louga, Oct 11 (APS) – The Minister of Family and Solidarity, Maïmouna Dièye, reaffirmed, Friday, the government’s commitment to the education and empowerment of young girls, through an “agenda ambitious” aimed at strengthening their rights and leadership.
“The government is committed to investing in the education and training of girls, so that they not only have more freedom and rights, but also the skills necessary to fully participate in the development of the country,” he said. -she declared.
Maïmouna Dièye spoke at the ceremony marking the International Day of the Girl, in Louga, in the presence of several administrative authorities, including Governor Ndèye Nguénar Mbodj, and the prefect of the department, Maude Manga.
The Minister of Family and Solidarity recalled that the International Day of the Girl, established by the UN on December 19, 2011, “aims to raise awareness throughout the world of gender inequalities and discrimination from which girls still suffer”.
This year’s edition focusing on the theme “Girls’ vision for the future”, this commemoration constitutes an opportunity to highlight the voice and leadership of young girls in building a more equitable world, according to Ms. Dièye.
She returned to “the multiple challenges that girls face, including social inequalities, limited access to basic social services, as well as violence and harmful cultural practices”.
She announced “the implementation of technical and vocational education programs to reduce the school dropout rate and encourage girls to excel in the fields of science, technology and mathematics”.
Initiatives will be implemented by the government “to improve girls’ access to quality health services, particularly in terms of menstrual hygiene in rural areas, where lack of access to running water and latrines, are a real problem,” she promised.
“These initiatives aim to combat the high school dropout rate among girls and to promote excellence in the fields of science, technology and mathematics,” explained the minister.
She also reaffirmed “the government’s commitment to protecting the rights of young girls against violence, female genital mutilation and early marriage”.
Maïmouna Dièye unveiled “a 2021-2025 agenda, centered on eight key priorities aimed at promoting equal rights, autonomy, education and political leadership of girls”.
“This agenda, supported by international partners such as Belgian cooperation and Plan International, constitutes a strategic framework to remove the social and cultural barriers which still hinder young girls,” underlined Ms. Dièye.
The Minister of Family and Solidarity reiterated “her unwavering support for the girls of Louga, encouraging them to continue their education and to believe in their potential to contribute to the construction of a more just and prosperous Senegal”.
DS/ADL/BK
