As a girl, I face many challenges, and as ladies we are often referred to as the weakest gender. But can you blame us? Well, I believe not, mostly because the odds of survival are against the girl child. This is because we have limited access to basic human needs and rights that young girls like me need. Unlike our male counterparts, our needs are unique meaning they need deliberate attention.
The realization of unequal footing between the two genders led the United Nations General Assembly to adopt resolution 66/170 declaring October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child. This day aims at addressing challenges, biases, and injustices young girls like me face. This inequality includes access to medical care, education, nutrition, legal rights, protection from discrimination, violence against women and forced marriage.
A quick glance at this year’s theme “My voice, our equal future” lays bare how UN Women imagines the world should be. It reimagines a better world led and inspired by girls like me, you and even your sister. Remember as girls we are constantly demanding a life free from gender-based violence, access to health, recognition, and investment as leaders of social change.
As we try to break the glass ceiling, we need to rise as women and amplify the need for access to healthcare. Consequently, if we are to make this day count, we must collectively and jointly address these challenges.
Imagine this, 1.1 billion girls alive today could grow up to change the world! However, this will only happen if as girls have access to family planning services, education, and proper nutrition. They look basic but according to Girl Boss, a community of women globally fighting for the rights of women this is what counts.
Above all, my fellow girls, as I celebrate this day with you, all is not lost. Notably, United Nations has declared that as girls we have a right to a safe and healthy life. Remarkably this is not restricted to our formative years, but also as we mature into women and global leaders.
Looking through goal number 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals, it clear that it provides that “by 2030, the world will ensure universal access to various important needs. These needs vary from one girl to another and they include but not limited to sexual and reproductive health-care services. Others include family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes”
Most importantly, how do me and you get involved and ensure that we make a difference on this day? As women we are emphasizing on bringing onboard organizations and individuals at the forefront empowering the girl child. I challenge you or your organization to share stories on how you are empowering the girl child on this day. What impact are you making?
As a Kenyan girl I am cognizant of the role online pharmaceuticals are playing, and this cannot go unnoticed from where |I sit.
As we commemorate this day in Kenya, it is evident that MYDAWA is at the forefront continuously setting the tone. Daily, MYDAWA is ensuring that as per the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) myself plus other many girls have access to quality and affordable health services.
How is MYDAWA fulfilling this?
Let’s look at Virginia, a 20 years old student who paints the perfect analogy on the role MYDAWA is playing. Like any other Kenyan lady who is looking forward to commemorating this day, Virginia has many aspirations. For a start, she is a second-year student in a public university facing life and has many challenges ahead. One morning as she is revising for her exams, she realizes her periods are due the following day.
Her elder sister Patricia married with four kids is seriously thinking about family planning. She must plan her family and ensure that she does not sire more kids. Virginia’s friend Agnes, 22 years old almost graduating has been sexually active and wants to take control of her life. She has a promising life and career ahead and does not want to get pregnant or contract STIs.
Having been there myself, I can relate to what these three girls are going through. These ladies need empowerment, and this is where MYDAWA comes in to fill the gap. Every day, MYDAWA has walked the talk ensuring that Virginia and her circle have access to quality healthcare. To clarify, this includes and not limited to sexual and reproductive care services and products available at MYDAWA.
Ordering sanitary pads
At the comfort of her hostel, Virginia can order her sanitary pads and have them delivered at her doorstep. With her busy schedule revising for exams, she can plan her time and concentrate on her school life.
Family Planning
Patricia has been contemplating about family planning and is now able to order her family planning pills and contraceptives. She does this in the comfort of her house saving her time to be with family and do chores. MYDAWA, therefore, assures her of privacy plus saving her the hustle of going to a chemist amid Covid-19.
Contraceptives and HIV testing Kit
Agnes on the other hand is visiting her doctor who has recommended ways of taking control of her life. Through MYDAWA she can order for HIV testing kit and regularly test her status and also order for contraceptives. She is thus able to take control of her life and plan ahead after school.
In conclusion, the high cost of healthcare has been challenging meaning us girls have not been able to access healthcare. MYDAWA is therefore playing a key role in financially empowering Virginia, Patricia, and Agnes. It is doing this by ensuring that the cost of products on its platform are affordable.
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