International Day of the Girl Child: What You Need to Know

I don’t know about you guys, but I DO believe that human trafficking, child marriage and FGM CAN be abolished if there is enough solidarity and commitment.

In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly announced that the 11th October would be named International Day of the Girl.

I hope today will present an opportunity to demonstrate this unity in our community, so on that note, here’s what you need to know to join the conversation…

This year the theme is:

Empowering Adolescent Girls: Ending the Cycle of Violence

Today the world’s eyes shall be drawn to the plight of young women around the world and attention given to the ongoing work being done to empower and support adolescent girls on a global scale. Coz let’s face it… it would be good for everyone!

(Image via)

Today is an opportunity to unite with others as a global community. #dayofthegirl 

Here are some of the main points the UN want us to know about the event (as appears on their blog)…

‘Governments, the UN system, civil society, and public and private institutions are called on to join forces and reaffirm their commitment to end the scourge of violence against adolescent girls and to promote their empowerment by:

• Investing in adolescent girls to equip them with skills, confidence, and life options: through family, schools, technical and vocational education and training, and health, social and economic support systems;

• Making infrastructure, services, and technology accessible to girls and effective in meeting their needs for safety, connectivity and mobility;

• Facilitating adolescent girls engagement in civic, economic and political life;

• Continuing to advocate for making violence against girls and women visible and unacceptable both in private and public domains;

• Strengthening data, measurement and the evidence base in relation to the empowerment of and violence against adolescent girls.’

Pretty awesome ey! To read more visit the UN’s website by clicking here or visiting UN Women.

Some cynics (we know you’re out there!) will be skeptical at the prospect of change. They will argue that the problems are too widespread, too complex, too ingrained in some cultures to be resolved.

You know what? It has already been proven that one voice can make all the difference. 

Why not check out ‘Why I Need Feminism… (What the aliljoy Team had to say)’?

Tags: #dayofthegirl Feminism International Day of the Girl Child Joy UN

Categories: Empowerment: Man! I feel Like a Woman! Fire me up baby! Wise up! Yazmin Joy