Nollywood movies have over the years, played an important role in campaigning for the girl child by highlighting the challenges girls face, while promoting the importance of their education and empowerment. We bring you a more detailed look at five Nollywood movies that campaign for the girl child as the world celebrates the girl child;
1. October 1 (2014)
Directed by Kunle Afolayan and starring Kunle Afolayan, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, and Sadiq Daba, this film tells the story of a group of students who are preparing for the Nigerian Independence Day parade on October 1, 1960. However, the students must overcome many challenges, including lack of funding and opposition from their families and communities.
October 1 promotes the importance of education and empowerment for girls. The female students in the film are determined to participate in the parade, even though they face many obstacles. Also, they are role models for young girls, showing them that they can achieve anything they set their minds to, regardless of their background.
2. Dry (2014)
Dry is a 2014 Nollywood drama directed by Stephanie Linus and starring Zainab Balogun, Liz Benson, and Ibrahim Suleiman. The movie tells the story of Halima (Balogun), a young girl who is forced to marry a man she does not love after her family falls into debt. She is also forced to abandon her education.
This film highlights the challenges that girls face in developing countries, such as early marriage, lack of education, and poverty. Halima is a brave and resilient young woman who fights for her right to an education and to choose her own partner. She is also a role model for young girls, showing them that they can overcome any challenge they face.
3. Lionheart (2018)
This 2018 movie directed by Genevieve Nnaji and starring Nnaji, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Pete Edochie, Onyeka Onwenu, and Kanayo O. Kanayo, tells the story of Adaeze Obiagu (Nnaji), a young woman who takes over her father’s company after he suffers a stroke. However, her uncles try to prevent her from taking over the company, believing that a woman is not capable of leading such a large business.
This powerful film promotes female empowerment and challenges the traditional notion that women are not capable of leading businesses. Adaeze is a strong and intelligent woman who is determined to prove herself to her uncles and the world. She is also a role model for young girls, showing them that they can achieve anything they set their minds to, regardless of their gender.
4. The Wedding Party (2016)
This romantic comedy film directed by Kemi Adetiba and starring Adesua Etomi, Banky W, Richard Mofe-Damijo, and Ireti Doyle, tells the story of Dunni Coker (Etomi) and Dozie Onwuka (Banky W), a couple who are planning their wedding. However, their wedding plans are threatened by their families’ interference and their own personal issues.
The Wedding Party is a lighthearted film that promotes the importance of love, family, and friendship, while featuring a strong female protagonist in Dunni, a career-driven woman who is not afraid to stand up for herself. Dunni is a role model for young girls, showing them that they can have a successful career and a happy personal life.
5. The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai (2017)
Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan and starring Adesua Etomi, Banky W, Richard Mofe-Damijo, and Ireti Doyle, the film is a sequel to The Wedding Party and tells the story of Dunni and Dozie’s honeymoon in Dubai. However, their honeymoon is threatened by their friends and family, who show up uninvited.
The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai is a lighthearted film that promotes the importance of love, family, and friendship. It also features a strong female protagonist in Dunni, who is a career-driven woman who as in The Wedding Party is not afraid to stand up for herself. Dunni once again, proves that women can have a successful career and a happy personal life.
These movies play an important role in raising awareness of the challenges that girls face. They truly promote the importance of their education and empowerment.
