The Togolese government marked the 2026 International Day of the Girl with a national celebration in Kpalimé, a town in the Plateaux-Ouest region. Minister of Solidarity, Martine Moni Sankaredja, presided over the event at the Lycée de Kpodzi on October 9. The ceremony was held under the theme "Promoting Excellence among Girls in Lucrative Fields for Inclusive and Sustainable Development." The event aimed to encourage girls' academic success and orientation towards in-demand fields.
During the celebration, 30 top-performing girls who passed the Brevet d'études du premier cycle (BEPC) exam in 2026 received prizes. The ceremony included awareness-raising activities and discussions on school and career choices, gender stereotypes, and obstacles that may hinder girls' futures. The girls were encouraged to explore sectors offering good job prospects, such as agriculture, food processing, construction, and information technology.
The event also featured a theatrical performance by a school club, illustrating how parental decisions and stereotypes can limit girls' ambitions. Minister Martine Moni Sankaredja emphasized the importance of investing in girls' education and encouraging their excellence. She stated that this approach would enable them to build their futures and contribute to Togo's inclusive and sustainable development.
Ousseynou Samb, Resident Representative of Plan International Togo, highlighted persistent challenges faced by girls, including child marriage, violence, early pregnancy, and discriminatory social norms. He presented the "Filles aux commandes" initiative, which aims to encourage young girls' participation in decision-making and leadership. Prefect of Kloto, Koku Bertin Assan, noted that the prefecture faces significant challenges, including 374 cases of schoolgirl pregnancies recorded over three years.
The prefect urged stakeholders to make greater efforts to protect girls' rights and allow them to pursue their education. The celebration brought together administrative and educational authorities, local leaders, technical and financial partners, civil society actors, teachers, and students. The event demonstrated a collective commitment to promoting girls' education and empowerment in Togo.
The International Day of the Girl celebrations in Togo reflect the government's efforts to address the challenges faced by girls and promote their development. By encouraging girls to pursue careers in in-demand sectors, the government aims to foster inclusive and sustainable growth. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration between stakeholders to ensure that girls have the opportunities they need to succeed.
Key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Solidarity and Plan International Togo, are working together to support girls' education and empowerment. Their initiatives aim to address the root causes of the challenges faced by girls and promote a more equitable society. The celebrations in Kpalimé demonstrated a shared commitment to creating a brighter future for girls in Togo.
Key points
- The Togolese government is promoting girls' education and empowerment through initiatives such as the "Filles aux commandes" program.
- The International Day of the Girl celebrations in Togo highlighted the need to address challenges such as child marriage, violence, and early pregnancy.
- The government is encouraging girls to pursue careers in sectors offering good job prospects, such as agriculture, food processing, and information technology.
