International Day Of The Girl Child 2022: History And Theme

Observed every year on October 11, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl Child. The day commemorates the achievements of girls and brings attention to the challenges they face on a daily basis.

The aim is to empower girls worldwide and call for the fulfilment of their rights. The United Nations Children’s Fund organises events to amplify their voices. It also highlights the need to promote gender equality and equity, so that we as a society can level the playing field for them.

Theme

This year’s theme is “Our time is now—our rights, our future”, signifying the increased need to invest in girl’s rights and confront the myriad challenges girls face, which have worsened due to climate change, the COVID-19 crisis, and humanitarian conflicts.

The UNICEF website reads that in the last 10 years, attention has risen on issues that matter to girls amongst governments, policymakers, and the general public, and there have been more opportunities for girls to have their voices heard on the global stage. However, girls around the world continue to face unprecedented challenges in their education, their physical and mental wellness, and the protections needed for a life without violence.

“Girls with disabilities face additional barriers to accessing support and services. Moreover, COVID-19 has worsened existing burdens on girls around the world and worn away the important gains made over the last decade,” it adds.

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History

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995 for the first time in history, proposed action to advance the rights of the girl child.

Following that, in December 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 66/170 and inaugurated October 11, 2012 as the first year to celebrate the day. The declaration highlighted the need to liberate and invest in female children.

The resolution further dives into a girl’s inability to access opportunities, enjoy her rights, and face problems since her childhood and adolescence. It adds that child and forced marriages lead to a greater risk of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases in young girls, often leading to early childbearing and heightening the chances of disability, stillbirth, and maternal death.

Moreover, it notes that this reduces the opportunities of education, gaining comprehensive knowledge, participation in community activities or developing employable skills, and violates the human rights of women and girls.

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Ways To Get Involved

• Share human interest stories, blogs and videos of girl changemakers, inspiring networks, and organisations that have girls as leaders and are providing services for girls. Let’s highlight the collective efforts and contributions of their leadership that brings a positive change.

• Engage government officials, policymakers, and stakeholders to target more investments towards girls to tackle inequalities experienced by them, especially while accessing mental health services in the face of conflict—forced migration, natural disasters, and the climate crisis.

• Ask female leaders across industries to be the face of change that girls aspire to emulate, and become role models in their respective fields to change the narrative of global conversation and public perception around girl leaders.

• Raise awareness and address factors that prevent the girls in your communities and countries from moving forward.

With these commitments, girls are ready to accelerate towards a future of equality and empowerment in the coming decade. It is time for all of us to be held accountable, and invest in a future that believes in their agency, potential and leadership.

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