A Letter from the Future.

Dear Change Maker

It is with so much urgency that I write you this letter. My heart feels like bursting because there is so much I want to pen down. I know you don't know me yet, but ah, you do. You will recognize me when you see me. As a matter of fact, I am a product of your own making! Yes you and everyone working to actualize a better world for girls like me. I am the realization of your visionary actions. The result of your work. You dreamed " me", dared to step out to advocate "me" and for "me". What audacity it was for you to keep speaking up and for me, when many didn't believe I was achievable?

I have news that will make your heart beat faster because it might look like all you did might be insignificant and I also have news that will warm your heart and fill you with such joy and pride.

I start with the first.

Can you remember in 2024 when after the celebration of the IDG tagged "Girls' vision for the future", you caught glimpses of what girls could be and that charged you up. After listening to the progress report of works amongst girls and women, and even though there were some progress from how things used to be , you knew then that at that rate, it would take nothing short of a miracle to achieve SDG 5 goal. It saddened you that at that time and age, 1 out of 4 girls were still out of school, 1 in every 4 still had their childhood stolen from them, they were made brides and forced to be mothers even though they still needed mothering themselves. The horrible , unecessary and harmful practices like genital mutilation were still carried out on girls around the world and girls were still considered less than boys. The business of trafficking persons especially girls was booming. Girl child labor was so rife.You could relate to all that was "not happening" for these girls, you had seen it first hand. You saw the light dim in many a girl's eyes because she was set up not to shine by those who feared her light.You saw potentials go to waste because the balance was tipped to work against women and girls by those who gained from patriarchy. Our future as girls was designed to be limited even before we were born. I don't even want to write about the agony of our silenced voices that said so much about our dreams, aspirations and the solutions we had to offer. But you saw our future and believed it could be made by simple actions that could multiply.

What you saw drove you into action. If the world continues to play the ostrich, things would only get worse and the future farther

The world stank of inaction that would cost us so dearly. Governments were yet to prioritize girl education and investing in reproductive health.

It would take only a miracle to stop the world from arriving to the destination that the road of inaction leads. Especially the inaction towards the plight of girls and women. Half of the world's population.

Now here is the part I am so eager to let you know. Your work is beginning to yield fruits! That miracle is happening! But not all of a sudden. It started with little tricklings of the bold actions you and all change makers took after that IDG. An advocacy here, a sensitization there. Partnerships were built , collaborations strengthened and the true picture of how far the world was from achieving the SDGs were painted. It would take 100s of years from where the world stood if the speed was not increased.

Those little things kept adding up. It was like the world slowly woke up from its slumber and "smelled the coffee". The urgency was clear : now or never. The players were defined : Us, every one. All of us.

The girls saw the future they wanted. They spoke it. It was faint at first but was amplified by you and others joined. Government and countries ( developed and developing), communities , the public and private sectors, men, boys, women. It became a chorus.

Policies began to change in favor of all. Donors began to invest more on leveling playing grounds for girls. A girl at a time. Menstrual Poverty is a thing of the past.

The gender gap is almost non-existent now and we enjoy gender equality. Countries that had laws and policies that were not in favor of women and girls are joining to reform such laws. Governments are advancing the rights of girls and empowering them with agency and opportunities. Laws are being domesticated to combat Sexual and gender based violence. Gender disparity in leadership is fading away and girls have seats at the table when discussions are made about their challenges.

Today as a girl in that future you helped create, l have chosen a career as an astronaut. Something I was told was not common amongst girls in your time.

I and my friends do not have to stop school because our families could not afford to meet our needs. The zero hunger agenda of the SDG is working.Each child has what he or she needs to be all they are meant to be. We have functional primary healthcare facilities in all rural communities to attend to our health needs. We do not go far to get clean water and communities are informed about climate change and working together to have a cleaner and green earth.

We understand what happens to our bodies and make informed decisions about it.  We are not ashamed of our bodies. 

These days, girls have  positive self esteem and are limitless  because our society encourages and equips us. We have a community of female and  male role models in leadership and every field of life. These people directly and indirectly hold our hands  as we navigate life.

Little wonder girls are proffering solutions and adding their voices to  the climate change problem and conflicts in our world. Girls rights are truly human rights. With every investment on us, our world is better off for it.There has never been a better time than now for us to thrive as girls on this planet.

I could go on and on. That's because I want you to see all you worked for. You planted then and the girls of my generation are reaping it.

How could I not write you and show you what a miracle you are and are making?

May this letter remind you that investing in girls is way to go. The future is impossible without girls. Your vision is our reality.

With so much respect and love for you.

A girl from the Future.