On the 19th of December, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170, declaring the 11th of October as the International Day of the Girl Child.
The day promotes girls’ human rights and helps raise awareness about all issues concerning gender inequality worldwide.
“In 2015, girls in the first decade of their lives are more likely to enrol in primary school, receive key vaccinations and are less likely to suffer from health and nutrition problems than were previous generations” (www.un.org)
While acknowledging the progress that has been made by the global community in improving the lives of girls in the first decade of their lives, much more work needs to be done to support girls to safely navigate their way through adolescence, ensuring they access quality education, access full information and services related to puberty and reproductive health and acquire abilities to protect themselves from gender-based violence.
Through informing and empowering adolescent girls and young women, RENATE believes it is possible to reduce the numbers who fall victim to human trafficking and exploitation.
Further information at:
www.un.org/en/events/girlchild
www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/girl-child
www.unicef.org/gender/gender_66021.html
www.dayofthegirlsummit.org
Written by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person
International Day of the Girl Child, 11th October, 2015