By Rabi Ummi Umar,
Women are the salt of every nation, bringing flavor and vitality to their communities. When they are present, their contributions often go unrecognized, yet their absence is profoundly felt, revealing the invaluable role they play.
Despite the immense importance of women, it is crucial to acknowledge that a woman is inherently and beautifully multifaceted-embodying strength, love, and patience.
To highlight the significance of womens contributions, the United Nations UN deemed it essential to recognize the potential of the girl child, declaring October 11, 2012, as the first International Day of the Girl Child.
This milestone marked the beginning of an annual celebration aimed at promoting girls empowerment, education, and well-being. The essence of International Day of the Girl Child is to celebrate the potential and resilience of women and girls, acknowledging their significance.
This day also serves as a call to action to empower girls through education, self-awareness, and holistic development, enabling them to shape a brighter future. The convergence of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and International Day of the Girl Child in October serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritizing womens health, well-being, and empowerment.
While the essence of this day has been highlighted above, breast cancer remains the leading cause of death among women globally. According to the World Health Organization WHO in 2022, breast cancer accounts for 2.3 million new cases and 684,996 deaths annually.
Early detection is vital in combating this deadly cancer, and women can perform self-examinations to detect early signs. The best time to perform a self-breast exam is a few days after menstruation, when the mammary glands are less swollen and tender.
This involves visually inspecting your breasts in front of a mirror and checking for lumps or abnormalities while in the shower. The armpit area should also be examined, and finally, using three fingers to feel the breast tissue while lying down, applying different levels of pressure in a circular motion.
This simple routine can save lives. Empowering girls economically, financially, and educationally is essential to saving women. The popular adage, Educating a girl child is not just a cliche, but a profound truth, emphasizes the far-reaching benefits of investing in girls, shaping both their future and that of their communities.
Education empowers girls to become self-aware of their health and well-being. They can recognize when something is wrong with their bodies and confidently seek help. Many women have suffered from various ailments due to a lack of education, unable to identify symptoms or seek medical attention.
Educating girls changes this narrative, enabling them to take control of their health. Financial independence is another key factor. A financially stable woman can seek medical attention without delay or dependency.
She does not have to wait for permission or financial support to access healthcare, allowing her to act swiftly when health concerns arise. Additionally, increasing the number of women in the healthcare sector strengthens the bond between female healthcare providers and patients.
Only a woman understands the pain of another woman rings true, particularly in sensitive examinations like breast cancer screenings. In the spirit of International Day of the Girl Child and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is crucial to discuss the empowerment of girls and womens health.
I urge readers to support girls education, healthcare, and overall empowerment. Parents should prioritize educating their children, while governments and stakeholders must provide essential support and services for girls.
Women must be empowered to speak out, break cultural barriers, and feel heard, loved, and supported for a more equitable world.
Rabi Ummi Umar is a student of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, and an intern with PRNigeria. She can be reached via rabiumar058gmail.com
