Let girls break boundaries and barriers
International Day of Girl Child
Ranjan K Baruah
(With direct inputs from UN publication and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)
We know that all adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years, but also as they mature into women. If effectively supported during the adolescent years, girls have the potential to change the world – both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow's workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders. Are we giving opportunity to all girls to realise their dreams? This question needs to be answered by all of us.International Day of Girl Child
I am not sure about others but I am conviWe know that all adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years, but also as they mature into women. If effectively suppced that the girl child in India may not be safe in home or in society. There are threats and challenges every time as there are villains all around. These villains are not necessarily illiterates, thieves or robbers but most of them are even literate and may belong to good families. We know that out of 3 at least 1 girl becomes victims of molestation or sexual assault at their own homes by known people or even by neighbours and others. After the recent case of Hathras and another case where a minor girl child of 3 years was raped and killed, let us ask ourselves is our society safe for our young girls or girl child or for women?
Worldwide, nearly 1 in 4 girls aged 15–19 years is neither employed nor in education or training compared to 1 in 10 boys of the same age. By 2021 around 435 million women and girls will be living on less than $1.90 a day — including 47 million pushed into poverty as a result of COVID-19. 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence. Emerging data shows that since the outbreak of COVID-19, violence against women and girls (VAWG), and particularly domestic violence, has intensified. At least 60% of countries still discriminate against daughters' rights to inherit land and non-land assets in either law or practice.
Many campaigns and programmes are being launched around the world for the rights of the girl child. We are yet to achieve many things as violence is occurring against the girl child in different parts of the world including India. The challenge has been increased due to COVID 19 pandemic as it has bought many other new challenges. Progress for adolescent girls has not kept pace with the realities they face today, and COVID-19 has reinforced many of these gaps.
In 1995 at the World Conference on Women in Beijing countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing the rights of not only women but girls. The Beijing Declaration is the first to specifically call out girls' rights. On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls' rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.
This year, under the theme, "My Voice, Our Equal Future", let's seize the opportunity to be inspired by what adolescent girls see as the change they want, the solutions- big and small- they are leading and demanding across the globe. In 2020, we commemorate 25 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – the global agenda for advancing the rights and empowerment of women and girls, everywhere. Generation Equality was also launched in early 2020 as a multi-year, multi-partner campaign and movement for bold action on gender equality.
We can see that girls are breaking boundaries and barriers posed by stereotypes and exclusion, including those directed at children with disabilities and those living in marginalized communities. As entrepreneurs, innovators and initiators of global movements, girls are creating a world that is relevant for them and future generations. All successful girls will become successful women and they could lead the society in a more organised manner. Every day, girls are breaking boundaries and barriers to lead and foster a safer, healthier and more prosperous world for all. They are tackling issues like child marriage, education inequality, violence, climate justice, and inequitable access to healthcare. Girls are proving they are unstoppable.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved if any one is left behind. SDGs can be achieved when all of us take part actively. In this regard empowering women and girls and promoting gender equality is crucial to accelerating sustainable development. Ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls is not only a basic human right, but it also has a multiplier effect across all other development areas. Let us take the opportunity of the day to inspire all girl children to achieve their dreams. Together we can make a difference and let us take up the challenge to ensure rights for every girl.