International Day Of The Girl Child is celebrated on October 11, annually, at the international level to amplify the voice of girls around the globe. The day also raises awareness about the rights of the girls.
Achieving gender equality and women's empowerment is an integral part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that UN member nations adopted in 2015. The International Day of the Girl Child holds the key to achieving this as empowering women and girls, who are half of the population of the world.
International Day Of The Girl Child 2021: Theme
This year, UN Women is joining other UN agencies, civil society, and girls around the world to celebrate International Day of the Girl Child under the theme "Digital generation. Our generation”.
“Girls are leaders. Girls are change-makers. Girls are driving good and growth around the world. They are a fundamental source of transformational change for gender equality, and technology is a crucial tool to support their work, activism and leadership,” as per the official site of UN.
“Together, we’re calling for equal access to the internet and digital devices for girls’ and targeted investments to facilitate opportunities for girls to safely and meaningfully access, use, lead and design technology,” it further read.
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International Day Of The Girl Child 2021: History
In 1995, a World Conference was held in Beijing on the vulnerable condition of women and girls across the world. During this event, the need for an event focussed on young and vulnerable girls was identified.
Later, on December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child.
International Day Of The Girl Child 2021: Significance of this year’s theme
As per WHO, The global internet user gender gap is growing, from 11 percent in 2013 to 17 percent in 2019, and widest in the world’s least developed countries at 43 percent. 2.2 billion people below the age of 25 do not have internet access at home, with girls more likely to be cut off.
The theme would amplify the diversity of these tech trailblazers while simultaneously widening the pathways so that every girl, this generation of girls – regardless of race, gender, language, ability, economic status and geographic origin – lives their full potential.
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International Day Of The Girl Child 2021: Quotes
- “To educate girls is to reduce poverty.” – Kofi Annan
- “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave — to embrace the strength within themselves, and realise their full potential.” – Malala Yousafzai
- “Educating girls isn't just good for the girls, it's good for all of us. The future of our world is only as bright as the future of our girls.” – Michelle Obama
- “Young girls are told, you have to be the delicate princess. Hermione taught them that you can be the warrior.” – Emma Watson
- “Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent, guts. That’s what little girls are made of; the heck with sugar and spice.” – Bethany Hamilton.