International Day of Girl Child

4 minute read
International Day of Girl Child

International Day of Girl Child is celebrated every year on 11 October. The day is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of resolution 66/170 by the United Nations General Assembly. This year we mark the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Girl Child and recognize the rights of girls and encourage the empowerment of girls by supporting them and limiting the challenges they are facing. The day is celebrated with the aim to bring the attention of the officials, policymakers, government, and general public to the issues faced by girls and have equal opportunities for them to speak their voices. 

Source: Plan International Uganda, Twitter

When is it Celebrated?

The United Nations declared this day an international observance day also called a Day of girls and an International Day of Girl Child. The day was first celebrated on 11 October 2012. We celebrate the International Day of Girl for the following reasons:

  • The day is celebrated to support equal opportunities for girls.
  • To increase awareness regarding the challenges and issues faced by girls including gender inequality, discrimination, forced child marriage, and access to education.
  • To symbolize and celebrate the success of girls and young women as achievers in various recognized fields. 
  • It is celebrated to acknowledge the essential role of girls in society 
  • To facilitate the transformations that these young changemakers can bring with their skill to build a better tomorrow.

History of International Day of Girl Child

The initiative began with the project of Plan International, an NGO to raise awareness and support girls and young women through the ‘Because I Am Girl” campaign globally and mainly in developing countries. To further support the initiative Plan International approached Canadian Federal Government and eventually, the United Nations to join in. 

In the United Nations General Assembly, Canada formally proposed the initiative as a resolution that was supported by many women delegates, and later on 19 December 2011, the UN voted to adopt 11 October 2012 as the International Day of Girls.

Theme and Significance of International Day of Girl Child 

The theme of 2022 is “Our time is now- our rights, our future”. Each year the day addresses some issues faced by girls that highlight the theme of the International Day of Girl Child. The celebrates the valuable participation of girls and young women in society and encourages the empowerment of girls to become independent and inspiring women of tomorrow. We as citizens should stand together to support the rights of girls and invest in the future that values the potential, skills, and leadership of girls. 

It is a difficult world out there for each one of us and more specifically for girls and young women to be able to speak their voices boldly and unabashedly. With all the strikes of tough critical judgments, girls and women need to believe in their originality and righteousness to be independent and free-spirited. And to strong-arm these beliefs, many initiatives have been taken including the International Day of Girls.

Source: UNICEF, YouTube

How to Support the Day?

As fellow members of society, we must support the initiative taken to support the communities of which we are a part.

  • Social media has become an integral part of supporting such movements. We should actively share blogs, human interest stories, and podcast experiences related to the girls’ empowerment, their success journeys, and their leadership tales.
  • We should enthusiastically engage in the plans, policies, and services created by government officials, and NGOs and invest in causes like women’s mental health, physiological support, and voice against discrimination issues.
  • Conduct meets and seminars of Women influencers to increase awareness about the challenges faced by women and their equal rights opportunities.
  • Increase investments and funding for organizations and networks to support women’s rights including education and well-being. 

FAQs

When is the International Day of Girls celebrated?

International Day of Girl Child is celebrated on 11 October every year.

Why is International Day of Women celebrated?

The day is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of resolution 66/170 to declare 11 October as the International Day of the Girl and recognize girls’ rights and the challenges faced by girls around the world.

What is the theme of the International Day of Girls 2022?

The theme of International Day of Girl Child 2022 is “Our time is now- Our Rights, Our Future.”

Well, Women have always been the other half of the societal balance and empowering them, and supporting their rights are just as necessary. To acknowledge these topics the United Nations declared 11 October as the International Day of Girl Child. So, we as individuals and citizens should do our part best to support such initiatives for the betterment of society and for a better future. For more such updates follow Leverage Edu and engage with more such interesting topics.

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