International Day of the Girl Child

International Day of the Girl Child for 2014

International Day of the Girl Child is an international observance day declared by the United Nations that promotes the rights of girls and addresses the unique challenges they face. It is celebrated on October 11 every year since its inception in 2012. The day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face while promoting girls' empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.

Background[edit | edit source]

The proposal for the International Day of the Girl Child was initially introduced by Canada at the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution to establish the day was adopted on December 19, 2011, by the General Assembly. The day is a result of youth advocacy around the world, as girls and young women sought recognition of their potential, their power, and the inherent challenges they confront in pursuit of equality.

Purpose[edit | edit source]

The primary purpose of the International Day of the Girl Child is to promote girls' rights and highlight gender inequalities that remain between girls and boys. It is a day to acknowledge the importance, power, and potential of girls around the world. It seeks to bring attention to issues such as education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care, and protection from discrimination, violence against women, and forced child marriage.

Themes[edit | edit source]

Each year, the International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated with a specific theme. Past themes have included:

2012: Ending Child Marriage
2013: Innovating for Girls' Education
2014: Empowering Adolescent Girls: Ending the Cycle of Violence
2015: The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030
2016: Girls' Progress = Goals' Progress: What Counts for Girls
2017: EmPOWER Girls: Before, during, and after crises
2018: With Her: A Skilled GirlForce
2019: GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable
2020: My Voice, Our Equal Future
2021: Digital generation. Our generation.
2022: Forging Girls' Resilience through Education

Significance[edit | edit source]

The International Day of the Girl Child signifies the world's commitment to addressing the challenges girls face and to promoting girls' empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights. It is a day to celebrate the potential of girls in various spheres of life including education, science, literature, and politics. It also serves as a reminder of the progress made towards gender equality and the work that still needs to be done.

Activities and Celebrations[edit | edit source]

Activities and celebrations on this day vary globally and include educational workshops, community gatherings, and awareness-raising campaigns. Governments, NGOs, and other organizations come together to organize events that highlight the significance of the day and advocate for the rights of girls.

Challenges[edit | edit source]

Despite the progress made, girls around the world still face numerous challenges. These include access to education, healthcare, protection from violence and discrimination, and equal opportunities. The International Day of the Girl Child plays a crucial role in highlighting these issues and mobilizing global efforts to address them.

International Day of the Girl Child Resources
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