Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation Children’s Day 2025 – Nigeria By Gender Awareness Trust (GAT)

Today, as we join the rest of Nigeria in celebrating Children’s Day, we pause to honour the strength, dreams, and limitless potential of every Nigerian child. At Gender Awareness Trust (GAT), we believe that every child deserves to grow in a safe, supportive, and empowering environment, free from fear, intimidation, or silence.

This year’s theme, “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” calls us to action. It reminds us that while we celebrate childhood, we must also confront the challenges that threaten it with bullying being one of the most pressing.

Why Bullying Must End

Bullying, whether physical, emotional, verbal, or digital, has long-lasting effects. It steals a child’s confidence, silences their voice, and dims their dreams. Far too many children, especially girls, suffer in silence due to fear, shame, or lack of support. In schools, on playgrounds, and online, bullying has become a silent epidemic.

We cannot afford to look away.

Empowering Children to Speak Up

At GAT, we believe that change begins with education and empowerment. Children must know their rights. They must be encouraged to speak up when something feels wrong and trust that they will be heard and protected. Our work focuses on:

• Raising awareness through school outreach and media advocacy

• Training teachers and caregivers to identify and respond to bullying

• Creating safe spaces where children feel seen, heard, and supported

• Promoting peer-led solutions, so children can support each other in kindness, respect, and solidarity

  
  

What You Can Do

Whether you're a parent, teacher, policymaker, or peer you have a role to play. Teach kindness. Encourage openness. Correct harmful behaviours early. And most importantly, listen to children when they speak.

We dream of a Nigeria where no child has to shrink in fear or hide who they are. A Nigeria where children are uplifted, protected, and empowered to become bold leaders of tomorrow. This dream begins with each of us.

On this Children’s Day, let us pledge to build a bullying-free generation one child, one voice, one act of courage at a time.

Happy Children’s Day from all of us at Gender Awareness Trust (GAT)!