International Day of the Girl Child
UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD
SATURDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2014
This year’s theme: “Empowering adolescent girls – Ending the cycle of violence”.
"To end the cycle of violence against adolescent girls we must go beyond raising awareness and take action to equip girls with knowledge, skills, resources and power to determine their own path in life. We must provide them with safe transport, and access to sources of energy and water, quality health services and supportive environments that will allow them to thrive.On this International Day of the Girl Child, I call on all governments to take action to end all forms of violence against girls in all parts of the world. Together, we must create a world where violence against women and girls is never tolerated and girls are always empowered to reach their full potential." Ban Ki-Moon said in his message for the International Day of the Girl Child.
Points to consider:
Upholding the rights of the girl child has received international support through the nearly global adoption of the Rights of the Child and the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.
Equal numbers of boys and girls have access to primary education globally but this is far from the truth regarding other levels of education.
While there are positive indications regarding child mortality reductions girls are often abandoned when cultural groups prefer male children and in some cultures are subjected to genital mutilation and female infanticide.
Women and girls suffer violence in war zones, in camp compounds and as refugees.
INVESTING IN GIRLS IS THE RIGHT AND SMART THING TO DO
We pray that governments, citizens, organizations and families will be more alert and act courageously so that all forms of violence, discrimination and abuse suffered by adolescent girls around the globe may cease. We pray that they be empowered to use their energies and rich personal gifts and skills for the benefit of all people and our planet. Amen.
Care Handbook 2014
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