Quthing __ The district event to mark International Girl Child Day has been commemorated with a campaign held at Qomoqomong Primary school, led by District department of Gender and Social Development in collaboration with its partners from government and non-government institutions

The event on the theme ' Girls Vision for the Future ' was attended by girls and other public groups to strengthen and provide knowledge on youth reproductive health issues through story telling initiatives among others; general identity, family planning, support, disability and access to services.

Addressing attendants at the event, Social Worker from department of Social Development Ms. 'Makhotso Ts'iu highlighted that Girl Child Day commemoration is important since it emphasizes employment of girls and young women to overcome their challenges and work hard for a bright future.

She said girls are legally protected from childhood, stating that the Child Protection and Welfare Act stipulates that children among others have a right to identity, registration and to be included in decision making that affects them.

Ms Ts'iu appealed to different public groups from the area to increase awareness on challenges faced by girls, and inspire action to support their empowerment, adding that empowerment means self-realization around one's ability to be independent, recognize abilities and work for improvement.

Speaking at the same event, Help Lesotho Project Officer Ms. Masoabisa Monaheng encouraged youth to avoid judgement of each other during story telling on different experiences in reproductive health issues.

The Care for Basotho project's Key Population Nurse, Nursing Sister Likopo Lets'abisa said there are many myths and misconceptions in connections with adolescent health services for prevention of unwanted pregnancy, highlighting that it is important for girls to access such services and information from health clinics.

She further said condoms use is always recommended to avoid sexually transmitted diseases that include HIV and AIDS.

One of the girls who attended, Miss. Yeliswa Mdube expressed gratitude for the event and further encouraged girls and boys to join and establish clubs of their choice to discuss and address their common challenges, and to easily be accessed by service providers.

Teboho Mohapi who was also one of the attendants at the event indicated that it has been educational since they have learned who to provide the right information inconnection with different issues from village to the district level.

One of the participants at the event Mrs. Mampiti Letsie appealed to different public groups to support girls to become responsible tomorrow mothers since they have been granted a greater responsibility of being a mother in the parenthood stage.

The department of Social Development also distributed sanitary pads to women and girls at the event.

The International Girl Child Day is an annual event held to increase awareness on challenges they face, and inspire action to support their empowerment and leadership.

Last year a similar event was held at Upper Moyeni.