International Days Celebration
As part of our intervention program, U-TOLF uses her voice through awareness campaigns to spread word on health and social issues that threatens human existence. In the period, U-TOLF has joined the United Nations and the rest of the world in marking international humanitarian days. These world days are commemorations have availed us the strategic platform to create robust awareness in Enugu state on the global development issues these international days promote. Some of which include:
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ZERO TOLERANCE TO FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is a United Nations-sponsored annual awareness day that takes place on February 6 as part of the UN’s efforts to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation. FGM refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
The United Nations reports that more than 200 million women and girls around the world have undergone some form of FGM. On Zero Tolerance Day, we are raising awareness about this practice, which is happening here in Nigeria in small towns and big cities alike.
FGM is a human rights violation and a form of child abuse, gender discrimination, and violence against women and girls, hence the need for a rising and continuous awareness even as we support ongoing efforts nationwide that uphold and enforce laws criminalizing’.
INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women. It is also a focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. As U-TOLF is an organization that stands as the back bone for women, we join the global community to mark this day every year as a way of commending efforts and achievements of women in Enugu state.
WORLD HEALTH DAY
World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on 7 April, under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as other related organizations. The World Health Day is held to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health each year. As an organization with interest in spreading awareness on public health issues, we commemorate this day alongside the global community by organizing activities like sensitization programs on trending health issues like Covid-19, Yellow Fever, etc.
Some other health campaigns marked by WHO, which U-TOLF advocates on includes: World Tuberculosis Day, World Immunization Week, World Malaria Day, World No Tobacco Day, World AIDS Day, and World Hepatitis Day.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD
The Day of the African Child is being celebrated on June 16 every year and it was first initiated by the (OAU) Organization of African Unity. It is a day set aside to raise awareness of the continuing need for improvement of the education provided to African children. On June 16 every year, U-TOLF marks the day as her way of advocating for child education.
WORLD BREAST FEEDING WEEK
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is an annual celebration which is held every year from 1 to 7 August. The goal is to promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life which yields many health benefits, providing critical nutrients, protection from deadly diseases such as pneumonia and fostering growth and development. Every year, in line with her child health care intervention U-TOLF creates awareness on the importance of breast feeding and also provide supplements for nursing and pregnant women through her Maternal and child Health care program.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD
International Day of the Girl Child is an international observance that supports more opportunity for girls and increases awareness of gender inequality faced by girls worldwide based upon their gender.
The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. Adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years, but also as they mature into women. If effectively supported during the adolescent years, girls have the potential to change the world both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders. An investment in realizing the power of adolescent girls upholds their rights today and promises a more equitable and prosperous future, which is why U-TOLF commemorates this day each year as a way of supporting and uplifting the girl child. Each year various projects are carried out to mark the day some of which includes leadership training, scholarships and introducing young girls to the Digital space under the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) project.
GLOBAL HAND WASHING DAY
October 15 is Global Hand washing Day, a global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of hand washing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives. In line with our WASH program, U-TOLF marks the day by creating awareness on the importance of hand hygiene.
WORLD TOILET DAY
World Toilet Day (WTD) is an official United Nations international observance day on 19 November to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis Worldwide, 4.2 billion people live without “safely managed sanitation” and around 673 million people practice open defecation Sustainable Development Goal 6 aims to “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”. World Toilet Day exists to inform, engage and inspire people to take action toward achieving this goal. U-TOLF in partnership with UNICEF, advocates against open defecation and unsanitary practices in Enugu State.
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
November 25 has been designated as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The premise of the day is to raise awareness around the world that women are subjected to rape, domestic violence and other forms of violence. Furthermore, one of the aims of the day is to highlight that the scale and true nature of the issue is often hidden. Following this day is the activity called 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence. This day is being marked every year by U-TOLF following series of workshops for women, massive campaign on GBV across the state with other collaborating agencies like NAPTIP etc.
