Oct 8, 2021: The International Day of the Girl Child (observed on October 11) is a global observance declared by the United Nations to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.
This day holds importance as it eliminates the gender-based challenges that little girls face around the world, including child marriages, discrimination, violence and poor learning opportunities.
The world is home to more than 1.1 billion girls under age 18, who are “poised to become the largest generation of female leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers the world has ever seen,” according to the United Nations.
International Day of the Girl Child was first achieved by the Beijing Declaration in 1995 at the World Conference on Women in Beijing.
It was the first-ever event to have identified the need for addressing issues faced by adolescent girls around the world.
International Day of the Girl Child began as a part of the non-government, international organization plan. This campaign was designed to nurture girls, especially in developing countries, to promote their rights and bring them out of poverty.
Day of the Girl also focuses on the challenges facing girls, such as violence, educational inequality and child marriage. These challenges are especially great for the millions of girls in conflict and crisis-ridden countries. When women and girls suffer from power shortages in their homes and communities, every shock – whether armed conflict, drought, flood or COVID-19 – inevitably affects them more than other demographic.
The focus areas in protecting and empowering girls include; education, violence prevention, health, economic support and positive change empowerment.
Ten years ago, the United Nations officially declared International Day of the Girl Child (IDG).
This year is the 10th anniversary of International Women’s Day which is Oct. 11. It is a day that focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.
The theme this year is “Digital Generation … Our Generation.”
The reason for choosing the theme is that the gender gap is increasing in so many areas, particularly since the onset of the pandemic. In the digital era where technology and the Internet are helping people improve their lives, when it comes to girls, the disparity is huge.
The gap between boys and girls in the access to technology and technology skills is large. It keeps getting worse.
According to the UNFPA, Digital technologies are fueling explosive growth, innovation and connection around the world. But these tools are also creating new kinds of inequalities.
Adolescent girls are less likely to use the internet; in some countries, boys use the internet four times as much as girls. Girls are also less likely than boys to own mobile phones. Some may see barriers to these technologies as protection from online predators. Yet steering girls away from digital tools only limits their access to essential information and services, and robs them of the ability to make informed decisions for themselves, their bodies and their futures.
October 11, International Girls’ Day, calls on UNFPA leaders to ensure that girls are empowered not only in their communities but also in the digital world. This means increasing access to these technologies and ensuring security measures to prevent exploitation and misuse.
UNFPA Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem says, “We must not tolerate a digital world that reinforces inequality. Instead, let’s use these tools to close the gender power gap for girls.”
The UNFPA on its part supports multiple indigenous programs in various countries designed to protect women from exploitation and violence.
International Day of the Girl reminds us of the continued importance of amplifying girls’ voices, advocating for their rights, evaluating their position in society and reinforcing their capacity as decision-makers.
This year, countries and organizations around the world are marking the International Day of the Girl such as pilot programs by the International Rescue Committee, awareness programs by the Pakistan Girls Guides Association and corporate social responsibility programs from private organizations.
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