Today, on the International Day of the Girl Child, Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA) joins the global community in celebrating the power, resilience, and leadership of girls everywhere.
This year’s theme — “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis” — reminds us that girls are not just beneficiaries of change; they are its driving force. Across the world, girls are speaking out against violence, championing climate justice, leveraging digital tools for education and advocacy, and reshaping their communities. They are demanding to be seen not for the obstacles they face, but for the courage, creativity, and determination they embody.
As we commemorate 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, the world’s blueprint for gender equality, we are reminded that progress is not automatic — it is built through collective action, persistent advocacy, and laws that protect and uplift.
In today’s world, girls’ empowerment extends beyond classrooms and communities — it now includes digital spaces. From social media to online learning, girls are increasingly navigating digital platforms that shape their access to knowledge and opportunity. But these same platforms can also expose them to risks: privacy violations, cyberbullying, exploitation, and harmful surveillance.
At WELA, we recognize that data privacy is not a luxury — it is a fundamental human right. Without strong legal protections, girls are more vulnerable to the misuse of their personal data and the long-term harm that can follow.
In her thought-provoking article, “Data Privacy and Digital Rights: Protecting Privacy Through Law, Surveillance, and Consent,” Dr. Atanda-Lawal highlights how sound legal systems can safeguard individuals — particularly girls — by enforcing informed consent, regulating surveillance, and strengthening data protection frameworks. Her insights echo our advocacy at WELA: that legal empowerment is essential for ensuring that girls are safe, free, and able to thrive in both physical and digital spaces.
For us at WELA, the International Day of the Girl Child is more than a date on the calendar — it is a reaffirmation of our mission to build a society where every girl’s rights are recognized, respected, and protected.
Through our programmes and partnerships, we continue to:
- Provide Legal Aid & Access to Justice: Offering free legal support to women and girls facing gender-based violence, workplace discrimination, and human rights violations.
- Drive Policy Reform & Advocacy: Working with lawmakers and institutions to push for inclusive, gender-responsive laws and stronger digital protection policies.
- Build Capacity & Awareness: Equipping women and girls with legal knowledge, digital literacy, and advocacy skills to navigate an evolving world.
- Foster Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with legal professionals, educators, and community leaders to design holistic, sustainable interventions.
We believe that every girl, no matter where she is born, deserves not just a voice — but a platform to lead.
As we celebrate this day, we urge policymakers, legal practitioners, digital platforms, and international partners to place girls at the center of conversations on data privacy, education, health, and leadership.
- Share their stories. Celebrate girls’ achievements and amplify their voices.
- Advocate for change. Support policies that protect girls’ rights and enable their leadership.
- Create girl-led spaces. Build safe, inclusive environments where girls can connect, learn, and lead.
- Invest in girls. Fund programmes that meet their unique needs — from education and mental health to economic empowerment.
When we invest in girls, we are not just shaping their future — we are shaping the future of our world.
At WELA, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that the law becomes not just a shield, but a bridge — connecting every girl to justice, dignity, and opportunity in both the physical and digital realms.
For girls aren’t waiting for a better world.
They are building it.