The Day of the Girl

International Day of the Girl Child

(All photos in this post are courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

For many years now I have been a supporter of Plan International, an independent development organization that promotes children’s rights and aims to end child poverty.

Plan has been calling for a UN day for girls for some years, and last December it was finally decided that today, October 11^th, will from now on be the official UN “International Day of the Girl Child”.

Girls need to be given particular nurturing and support; in the past, too little attention has been drawn to the challenges faced by girls in developing countries.

Their role in the family can be a driving force, and if their rights are acknowledged, and if they are able to access education programmes, their influence can move mountains. They have the potential to teach – as mothers and sisters. And I am convinced that they have the potential to change injustices and prevent violence, to break down ancient taboos and end harmful cultural rituals, to open up society’s eyes to discrimination and the violation of human rights. By being empowered to participate in community processes and define their own futures, not only can they improve their own lives, but those of other members of their families, their communities, and indeed their countries. Their economic power must also finally be recognized.

I hope this day will be a step towards equality for girls everywhere.

If you have a couple of minutes, and you’d like to know more, take a look here at one of the links below.

http://plan-international.org/girls/day-of-the-girl.php?lang=en

http://plan-international.org/?set_language=en

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Day_of_the_Girl_Child

 Thanks for reading this – I realise it is a little different from my usual posts, but this was – IS – important to me!

 Have a lovely day!

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