HACEY’s Health Initiative is a registered non-governmental organization with the mission to educate and support women, children and young people to lead healthy and sustainable lives. HACEY will be hosting the 2nd International Day of the Girl Child in Lagos state, Nigeria on the 10th October 2013 with the theme: Education as a Catalyst in promoting the Health, Empowerment, and Rights of the Girl Child in Africa. Speakers for the program include Mr Jeffery Hawkins - Current United States Consul General in Nigeria; H.E. Barr Toyin Saraki - Former First lady Kwara state, and Executive Director Wellbeing Foundation; Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin - Recipient of US International Women of Courage Award, and president Women Arise for Change Initiative; Mrs Yemisi Ransome-Kuti - Founder NNNGO and Civil Society Advisor to the World Bank; and Mrs Detoun Ogwo - Executive Director Afterschool Graduate Centre. Theme: Education as a catalyst in Promoting the Health, Empowerment and Right of the Girl Child Date: Thursday, October 10th, 2013 Time: 9am prompt Venue: Main Auditorium, University of Lagos, AKoka, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. All enquiries to - Ms Rhoda Robinson Director, Gender Development Programs HACEY's Health Initiative | www.hacey.org Hands up for HER Campaign | www.handsupforher.org Alternate Email: robinsonrhoda@hacey.org Skype: robinsonrhoda007 | Tel +234 813 196 7570

1. Date: Thursday, 3rd October 2013
PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Education is important for everyone, but it is especially significant for girls and women. This is true, not only because
education is an entry point to other opportunities, but also because the educational achievements of women will have
ripple effects within the family and across generations. Investing in girls' education is one of the most effective ways
to reduce poverty; it is a means of empowering them with knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary for them to
participate in the development process at all levels in the society. Apart from their active participation in developmental
issues, educated women can recognize the importance of health care and seek it for themselves and their children.
Education helps girls and women to know their rights and to gain confidence to claim them.
However, women’s literacy rates are significantly lower than men’s in most developing countries. In 2010, UNICEF reported
that 40% of Nigerian children aged 6 - 11 did not attend primary school. In the North particularly, the gender gap remains
wide and the proportion of girls to boys in school ranges from 1:2 to 1:3 in some States. Some of the reasons for these
gender bias statistics include child labour, economic hardship, and early marriage for girls amongst others.
In December 2011, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated October 11 of every year as the International
Day of the Girl Child. In creating a day to celebrate and acknowledge girls, the UN puts its weight and influence behind
global efforts to raise awareness of girls’ rights and shine a spotlight on areas where those rights are consistently violated.
The observation supports more opportunity for girls, and increases awareness of gender inequality faced by girls
worldwide. This inequality are found in areas such as access to education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care, protection
from discrimination, violence and child marriage.
On 11th October, 2012, HACEY hosted an event in Nigeria to commemorate the 1st Annual International Day of the Girl
Child, held at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. The event hosted 1200 participants and focused on the challenges faced by
the girl child, and on protecting the rights of the girl child to education, health and life. During the event, The Hands UP
for HER campaign was launched with the goal of promoting the Health, Empowerment and Rights of the girl child in
Africa. Presently, the campaign has focal points in 24 African countries and 15 representatives in 10 states in Nigeria.
This year, Unite Nations has declared that ‘Innovation for Education’ is the theme for the day of the girl and as such,
HACEY will be hosting the 2nd Annual International day of the Girl Child, focusing on calling for active participation of
everyone in the development of the girl child in our society. Our event will bring together over 2,000 change makers and
high profile individuals to discuss the issues that surround the attainment of education for the girl child.
Theme: Education as a catalyst in Promoting the Health, Empowerment and Right of the Girl Child
Date: Thursday, October 10
th
, 2013
Time: 9am prompt
Venue: Main Auditorium, University of Lagos, AKoka, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
Speakers include Mr Jeffery Hawkins –United States Consul General in Nigeria, Her Excellency Barr Toyin Saraki –
former First Lady Kwara state and Executive Director Wellbeing Foundation, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin – Recipient of US
International Women of Courage Award and President Women Arise for Change Initiative, Mrs Yemisi Ransome-Kuti –
Founder NNNGO and Civil Society Advisor to the World Bank, and Mrs Detoun Ogwo – Executive Director Afterschool
Graduate Development Centre.
With this event, we aim to push for increased recognition of the importance of education for the girl child, not just as a
right, but as a tool for achieving sustainable development and increasing national economic and social growth. By
bringing together decision makers, and change makers to discuss the issue of education as a catalyst to providing a better
future for the girl child, we will be proffering viable solutions and addressing challenges that prevent the achievement of
equity and equality.
We are celebrating the success we have had, and pushing for more to be done by one and all. We welcome everyone to
the International Day of the Girl Child Event.
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2. Links
Website: www.handsupforher.org
Website: www.hacey.org
Twitter: @handsup4her
Facebook: handsupforher
Youtube: handsupforher
Press Contact
Rhoda Robinson
Director of Gender Development Programs,
HACEY’s Health Initiative,
+2348131967570
handsupforher@hacey.org
About HACEY
HACEY’s Health Initiative, also known as HACEY, is a non-governmental organization committed to empowering and
supporting children, women and young people live healthy and productive lives through Capacity building, Advocacy,
Research and Education.
Website: www.hacey.org
Telephone: +2347046835377, +2348131967570
Email: haceyhealth@yahoo.com, info@hacey.org
Twitter: @haceyhealth
Facebook: haceyhealth