Today, October 11, is International Day of the Girl, which was established in 2011 through worldwide youth-led advocacy “to help galvanize worldwide enthusiasm for goals to better girls’ lives, providing an opportunity for them to show leadership and reach their full potential.” According to Day of the Girl-US, “It’s a day when activist groups come together under the same goal to highlight, discuss, and take action to advance rights and opportunities for girls everywhere. October 11 is not just a day; it’s a movement. A worldwide revolution.”
Here at D4C, we are using our platform to amplify and support girls and women, not just today, but everyday. The fact that Day of the Girl is a “100% youth-led movement for gender justice and youth activism” is exactly the kind of hope for the future that gets us out of bed in the morning. Granted, it would be better if such conversations weren’t necessary, and hopefully that’s something we’ll experience in our lifetimes, but the reality is today. And today is the Day of the Girl. This is the now we need.
From the United Nations:
The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.
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. 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.
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.
Get involved via the links above. Show your support on social media by amplifying and interacting with the #DayOfTheGirl and #InternationalDayOfTheGirl hashtags, respectively.
Top photo by Arièle Bonte on Unsplash
