Breaking Stereotypes: Groups Unite to Empower the Girl Child on International Day of the Girl 2025

Breaking Stereotypes: Groups Unite to Empower the Girl Child on International Day of the Girl 2025

Lagos, Nigeria — October 11, 2025.
In celebration of the United Nations International Day of the Girl Child 2025, several advocacy groups have called for renewed action to eliminate stereotypes and empower the girl child to reach her full potential.

The event, themed “Breaking Stereotypes for the Girl Child,” was powered by Healthy Children & Impactful Youths Communities of Growth Mindset and the Integrative Lifestyle Academy, in collaboration with Women Aligned for Growth (WAG) and The Women International (TWI).

Speaking during the commemoration, Dr. Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi, Growth Mindset and Integrative Lifestyle Specialist and Executive Chair of the Growth Mindset and Integrative Lifestyle Academy, reaffirmed the organisations’ commitment to fostering confidence, self-awareness, and leadership among girls across Nigeria.

“This day reminds us of our collective responsibility to break harmful stereotypes that limit the girl child and to empower her to become the best version of herself,” Dr. Nwakwesi stated. “Girls must understand that they are blessed with unique gifts and possess the power to make choices that shape their futures.”

Through its collaboration with The Women International (TWI) — initiators of the Pink-Up for Girls Initiative — the partnership is promoting growth mindset and integrative lifestyle training to equip girls with the tools needed to make informed decisions, embrace their strengths, and overcome social and cultural barriers.

The groups also emphasised the need for mentorship, urging women to guide younger girls through life’s challenges while serving as role models of resilience and achievement. They further called for the inclusion of boys in educational and empowerment programmes to nurture a generation of men who respect and uplift women.

As part of its long-term initiatives, Women Aligned for Growth (WAG) announced plans to establish a Women and Youth Upscale Impact Fund. The fund aims to intensify advocacy against early marriage, sexual abuse, exploitation, and other threats to the wellbeing of girls.

Highlighting key strategies for breaking stereotypes, the organisations advocated:

• Promoting diverse role models in STEM, sports, leadership, and other non-traditional fields.
• Encouraging girls to explore their interests without gender bias.
• Challenging restrictive gender norms and societal expectations.
• Providing leadership and mentorship opportunities to build confidence.
• Promoting positive and empowering portrayals of women and girls in the media.

According to Dr. Nwakwesi, dismantling stereotypes is essential to achieving gender equality and creating a society where every girl can thrive.

“Together, through collaboration and commitment, we can build a more inclusive world — one where girls are free to dream, lead, and transform their communities,” she affirmed.

The 2025 observance serves as a reminder that empowering the girl child is not just a social responsibility but an investment in the future of families, communities, and the nation.