UNICEF Promotes Hard Work, Gender Equality During IWD 2026 Engagement

REPORTER: EMEFIENA OKONKWO

The Communications and Advocacy Specialist, United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Ms Susan Akila, has encouraged girls and women to be committed to hardwork and positive drive to actualize their set goals.

Ms Akila made the call, during Media Engagement for YES Girl Podcast Watch Party and International Women’s Day,IWD, 2026 celebration in Enugu.

Ms Akila noted with dismay that despite successes recorded in advancing girl and women rights, the gender still experience widespread discrimination and violence.

She equally called on governments to ensure that sanitary equipments especially modern hygienic toilets were provided in girl schools and other public spaces to ensure girl and women health.

Some school girls who spoke on the occasion urged school authorities to provide enabling environment for them to thrive.

They wondered why some mixed schools reserve the post of Senior School Prefects only for the male students, terming such as discrimatary.

Earlier in a wellcome address, the Chief, UNICEF, Enugu Field Office, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe stated that the organisation remains committed to sustaining its collaboration with governments in advancing girl and women’s rights.

Mrs Chiluwe noted that the theme of the 2026 International Women’s Day which is,”Give to Gain,”, highlights the inherent benefits in investing in the girl child and women for a more productive and progressive societies.