11th October is commemorated as the International Day of Girl Child worldwide. The entire day focuses on uplifting and encouraging girls, raising their voices. The purpose of this celebration aims to recognize the significance, power, and potential they hold in society. It is more like the adult version of International Women’s Day, which is celebrated on the 8th of March every year. The day is celebrated by conducting various seminars and talks on the importance of girl children in society. Moreover, it focuses on the opportunities they should get, and equality in society. These seminars continue to abolish all the ill practices against girl child which includes child marriage, no education, violence, discrimination, and poor learning.
As the world was witnessing discrimination against women and it is still faced by many women. It was important to stand against the violence and bring justice and equality in their lives. The world started recognizing the importance and therefore the rights first began to emerge in the year 1995 at World Conference on Women in China.
Later in the year 2011, the United Nations General Assembly took the decision to celebrate October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child to raise awareness and abolish all the wrongs done to girls.
According to the United Nations, “An investment in realizing the power of adolescent girls upholds their rights today and promises a more equitable and prosperous future, one in which half of humanity is an equal partner in solving the problems of climate change, political conflict, economic growth, disease prevention, and global sustainability.”
Therefore, this day signifies that no girl child should be deprived of her rights. We must stand for their human rights because girls are the future mothers, entrepreneurs, housewives, and leaders of our countries. Women are equal partners in the battle for sustainable development of the country. Furthermore, the countries’ adoption of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and its 17 SDGs aims to empower women in order to achieve gender equality.
Importance of International Day of the Girl Child:
It Empowers Girls:
There are various days celebrated by people in the world. Days like Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and even Women’s Day influenced the importance of the girl child. Hence, such days gave a boost to realize the discrimination against the girl child. Hence, the UN General Assembly dedicated a day, i.e., October 11, to specially celebrate and appreciate the girl child. The purpose is to educate the girls and make them understand their rights. Furthermore, an educated woman is far more independent and sensible. It helps them to stand against all the ill practices against a girl child. Therefore, it is important to educate a girl.
Elude Gender-Based Discrimination:
As with other cultures and traditions, dominating girls or women were adopted. This practice was passed down from generation to generation. The mindset of the male being superior and the female being inferior was being taught to every person in the family. Various forms of gender-based discrimination, like no education for a girl, being forced to look after the household, and marrying at an early age, were made a practice.
Empower Girls to be Strong and Independent:
Adolescence is a critical point in every person’s life. Girls should be taught about their rights so that they don’t face anything wrong in the future. Therefore, empowering them at such a vulnerable age will help them to become a wise and independent woman. All these initiatives are taken to spread awareness in society. IDG gives them a platform to raise their voices and needs.
The UN will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl (IDG). This year it will be celebrated with the theme “Our time is now—our rights.”
Gender inequality has been the major obstacle to the growth and development of girls, women, and more precisely, the country itself. Therefore, it is important to bring equal education, opportunities, and health facilities to all genders. This eradicates the discrimination or bias in the society. One can definitely celebrate and get involved with promoting this important day by posting stories, blogs, or videos that educate and inspire all the girls.
