Unlike that of the male version shrouded in a lot of controversy and creation of a new award category, the news of Alexia Putellas’ Ballon d’Or victory won’t have come as a surprise to those who follow women’s football closely. The Catalonia-born midfielder has had a wonderful year and remains the epicentre of a star-studded Barcelona side that went on win their first UEFA Champions League, and a historic treble this year, a first in their history. Her performance in the final was nothing short of scintillating; terrorising a Chelsea side that was formidable in their own rights, providing an assist, and ending up on the scoresheet herself from the spot.  Alexia has shown remarkable longevity and creativity, she is the most capped player for the Spanish national team at just 27 and it can be argued she’s just approaching her peak. Her creativity is unrivaled in the female game; her ability to pick out passes others can only dream of, and unerring finishing are qualities that s...

 International Men's Day is observed today. It's a day that honors men's accomplishments while also attempting to identify methods to improve men's mental, physical, and social well-being. Gender equality is one of the pillars of the international men's day celebration. Gender equality, according to the United Nations, can only be accomplished if both genders work together to secure equal rights and access for all. The topic of this year's International Men's Day is "Better interactions between men and women," which aligns with this viewpoint. The topic for this year is a call for more men to collaborate closely with women in society and in all aspects of life. It promotes men to have better professional and personal relationships with women. Women must be treated in the same way that they expect to be respected. To perceive women as allies or as persons who share their desires. They don't regard them as beings they can't comprehend or coop...

 Yoruba people have a popular saying that "adura iya lo n gba lori omo" (mothers' prayers are valid in the lives of their children). This saying is problematic because many people do not believe that their fathers' prayers are valid over their lives. They just have their mother's prayers to rely on. This is applied to everyday discussions when a child achieves accomplishment or is rescued from a dangerous situation, the common saying is “adura iya mi lo n je lori mi” (my mother’s prayers are being answered over my life). In truth, this saying does not stop there; it also places a great deal of responsibility on women in our culture. Aside from her nurturing function, there is also the expectation that she will be the family's prayer warrior. So, when men think of prospective wives, it is often in their subconscious mind to marry a devout lady, and one wonders why they cannot be prayerful individuals themselves. I cant understand various claims made by some to ...

  I started this in 2017 as a young girl who was not quite clear about this path but just took that step and was winging it all along. This is the 5th Edition of the event to mark International Day of the Girl Child I will be organizing. I have never been physically present for any Edition but I appreciate the support system I have in friends and those who key into this vision who ensure that everything goes on smoothly. Thanks to everyone who has been holding the fort, pulling this through over the past 5 years in my absence. Thank you to everyone for the collaboration and partnership. PREAMBLE There are days for festivities. There are days for impacts. The 2021 International Day of the Girl Child is a day to make huge impacts. The synergy between Roseline and Olowobusola Adeyemo of Gertrude Olowo Empowerment Initiative has been for no other reason but to make impacts especially in the area of the empowerment and development of the Girl-child in order for them to be the best versi...

 It is another edition of the International Day of the girl and this year’s theme is step outside the gender box: Learning free from stereotypes. Today, we’re focusing on a core aspect of our future that has been affecting our growth and development for decades. That is how we learn.  As a girl, you have been told don’t learn that it is for boys. Don’t apply for that course, your brain can’t handle it. In fact, you will explode. Because of these lies, many girls have shied away from exploring their areas of interest and pursuing their passions.  Look around you. It is not new to hear girls being pushed into seemingly easier courses like the arts and social sciences while they’re discouraged from learning science, math, engineering, and tech. Sometimes, the pushers give reasons like: Your brain is too fragile. Your brain is too light. You can’t handle this. It is too tough for you. You won’t understand it! Today, I am here to let you know that you have been lied to. You ha...

 Today is the #InternationalDayoftheGirl2021. This year's Theme is Step Outside The Box: Learning Free From Stereotypes.  A message for girls out there! https://youtu.be/rwdLGRMxMWg Shirley Chisholm said, “Tremendous amounts of talent are lost to our society just because that talent wears a skirt.” Welcome to another edition of the International Day of the girl. This year’s theme is Step outside the gender box: Learning free from stereotypes. For far too long, we have been lied to. We have been told: You can’t learn this. You can’t understand this. We have been made to believe that certain bodies of knowledge are too difficult for us to learn because we are females. In Nigeria, some people use words like “Your brain is not strong enough” or “Your brain is light” and so will mock and even dissuade you when you try to learn things like tech, maths or science.  Because of these lies, some of us have held back. Lots of us have traded our dreams and aspirations for what we nev...

  COUNTDOWN DAY ONE A Refusing to abandon your gender prejudices is a learning stereotype that needs a change. Learn the dictates of an equal world. Unlearn biases. Relearn equality. COUNTDOWN DAY ONE B I am a girlchild who seeks to thrive outside the box of limitations. I hunger for learning in a world of stereotypes. I desire achievements based on my strengths and weaknesses. Not from pity. Not through favour.   COUNTDOWN DAY TWO A Cage a bird of air; it loses the rope of its freedom, and the inherent choice to fly; it loses the cutting edge of its bliss and lustre. Box a girlchild; she turns a slave in her kingdom, and becomes a shadow of her life— she becomes nothing but a breathing spectre. Let her be free! COUNTDOWN DAY TWO B I am an apex human. My genitals do not design what I learn or what I choose. I am the girlchild; I choose what badges of knowledge. I am proud of my successes and not disappointed in my failures; they mould me.   ...