The International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated every October 13th. The theme for this year according to the UNICEF website is: Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being. It is important to address issues such as early marriages, poverty, lack of proper education, enforced prostitution and slavery, trafficking and others that face the girl-child as these affect their rights and general well-being.
The history of International Girl-Child Day is closely associated with the movement for gender equality and protection of children’s rights. The United Nations General Assembly officially declared October 11th as the International Day of the girl-child in 2011. The UN Women’s work under the women, peace and security agenda is guided by a robust set of internationally agreed norms and standards.
The theme of this year carries weight in the sense that the girl-child can only reach her full potential when she is given the rights which in turn affects her well-being. Many girls have no say, they can’t voice out their opinions. This is because of the system they grew up with. They have been made to believe that females are to be seen not heard. They are only fit for the kitchen, motherly roles and home building.
A 2013 report by UNESCO found that 31 million girls of primary school age were not in school and about one out of every four young women in developing countries had never completed their primary school education. This explains the undermining of girl power. In addition, women still experience inequality in the workforce. A woman would not apply for a job if she is not 100% qualified for a job as compared to her male counterparts.
Other issues that affect the girl child revolve around reproductive health and rights, maternal health, gender-based violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation, access to clean water and sanitation and gender equality. The importance of education for the girls’ development cannot be overemphasised. An educated girl is an empowered girl. She can use the knowledge gathered and skills acquired to beat poverty. Nobody can tell her what she is not or take advantage of her, because she is armed with the right information. She can contend with her male counterparts where it matters without feeling less of herself.
Access to healthcare would greatly impact the girl-child positively. Health is wealth. It is only a healthy person that can do things and dream big. In the area of access to healthcare, the girl-child has to deal with physical, mental and emotional health because of the lack of access to health institutions.
For a better world, everyone should heed the call to take the right actions and support girl-child rights. It is not a fight with the opposite sex but a move to create a conducive and progressive environment for all. The importance of the International Day of the Girl-Child is embedded in how we show up for the females around us. It would take global efforts to improve the lives of the girl-child around the world. While we don’t neglect the boy-child, the girl-child is part of our collective responsibility to protect and nurture for the greater good.