By Etona Ekole, UNICEF Zimbabwe Representative On this International Day of the Girl (October 11), UNICEF Zimbabwe’s Representative, Etona Ekole, highlights the immense potential of Zimbabwean girls and the critical importance of investing in their futures. She emphasizes that every girl lost to child marriage or school dropout represents a lost future leader. A personal encounter with an aspiring biochemist in Epworth illustrates why shifting perspectives is vital for Zimbabwe’s economic and social progress. On this International Day of the Girl, my thoughts are not on statistics but on a single conversation. A few months ago, I visited a school in Epworth and observed a group of teenage girls, buzzing with energy, huddled over a science experiment. I asked one of them about her future aspirations. Without hesitation, she replied that she wants to be “a biochemist. We need African solutions, created by us, through science, to solve our own challenges.” Her clarity and ambition were profound. In her, I saw not just a student but a future leader, innovator, and problem-solver. She embodies this year’s theme: “The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis.” She understood that her potential is intrinsically linked to the progress of her community and her country. Her words are a powerful reminder of the immense potential locked within every Zimbabwean girl. Yet, this potential is often threatened or silenced. For every aspiring biochemist, there are thousands of girls whose dreams are extinguished far too quickly. The reality is concerning. In Zimbabwe, one in three young women is married before her 18th birthday—a childhood stolen. Nearly a quarter of all secondary school dropouts are due to pregnancy or marriage, with girls making up an overwhelming 96% of these cases. When a girl drops out of school, the odds stack against her. More than half of young women aged 15-24 are not in education, employment, or training—a rate double that of young men. Her health is compromised, with adolescent girls facing HIV infection rates nearly three times higher than their male peers. Even her safety is at risk, with 40% of women believing a husband is justified in beating his wife. These interconnected barriers form a wall between a girl and her future. But focusing solely on vulnerability misses the most crucial part of the story: her resilience and leadership. Girls are not waiting to be rescued. They are already on the frontlines, navigating crises and demanding change. They manage households during droughts, care for sick family members, and innovate in their communities with scarce resources. They are leading, even without formal recognition. Our role is not to give them a voice but to amplify the powerful voices they already have. For this to happen, we must collectively: Dismantle Barriers: Enforce laws against child marriage, ensure access to sexual and reproductive health services, and create safe school environments where girls can learn without fear. Invest in closing the gender gap in STEM, enabling girls like the aspiring biochemist in Epworth to become the innovators Zimbabwe needs. Listen and Act: Listen and Act: Only 14.5 per cent of youth feel actively engaged in decisions affecting them. This is not just a local issue but a global movement. As UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, recently stated, creating spaces for girls to influence the decisions that affect their lives is part of “a movement to drive positive change.” With Africa set to be home to 40 per cent of the world’s youth by 2050, she reminds us that their “voices and ideas are essential in shaping the future for the better.” We must create genuine spaces for girls in policymaking, community leadership, and peacebuilding. Their lived experiences are essential material for effective development. Investing in girls is the single most effective strategy for building a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable Zimbabwe. When a girl is educated, she invests 90 per cent of her income back into her family. When she is healthy and empowered, she raises more nutritious and educated children. When girls thrive, nations thrive. The future envisioned by the young student in Epworth—one of African solutions driven by science and innovation—is not a distant dream. It is a choice we must make today. Let us honour this International Day of the Girl by committing to decisive action that empowers every girl to become the leader she was born to be. Post navigation UNITY IN PROGRESS: CHINHOYI PROVINCIAL INDABA IGNITES VISION 2030 MOMENTUM Threading Power and Pride: Women’s League Redefines Regalia at 22nd National People’s Conference Through Fashion Showcase