Humanitarian and human rights organisations, governments and individuals across the globe are marking the inaugural International Day of the Girl Child today in a bid to raise the issue of gender inequality between boys and girls.
Khamma Devi uses posters and illustrated aids to explain the issues relating to child marriage for girls in the Himmatpura Village, Jodhpur District, Rajasthan. PICTURE: © UNICEF/NYHQ2009-2213/Anita Khemka
The UN approved a resolution for the creation of the day last December following a campaign from Plan International.
Plan International’s chief executive officer, Nigel Chapman, said the day was about “agreeing to put a special focus on the rights of girls throughout the world”.
“We know that in many countries girls get left behind in all areas of life from school to work and many are prevented from fulfilling their true potential by severe discrimination and prejudice.”
The theme of the inaugural event is ending child marriage. UNICEF is among organisations calling for governments to legislate against child marriage.
“Worldwide UNICEF and our UN partners are advocating for governments to legalise a minimum age for girls to marry without consent,” said Dr Norman Gillespie, UNICEF Australia’s chief executive officer.
UNICEF research shows child brides “at greater risk of violence, abuse and exploitation”. Girls who are given access to education, however, are empowered to voice their opposition to marrying too young, and better understand their options in relation to their physical and sexual health, according to the organisation.
“Where girls enter secondary education, their chances of marrying as a child are six times less likely,” said Dr Gillespie. “This makes education one of the best strategies for protecting girls.”
In Australia, the day was officially launched by the Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Wednesday. In her speech, Ms Gillard cited the words of Malala Yousafzai, a teenage schoolgirl and renowned children”s rights advocate in Pakistan, who has been shot by the Taliban in an attack which has drawn condemnation from around the world: “I will serve my people, I will speak up for my right of education and I speak for the girls. If I lost my life in speaking up for the rights of girls, it is not a big deal for me.”
“Today we think of her and her family – we desperately hope she does not have to pay that price,” Ms Gillard said. “And we resolve to join in her work…If girls live lesser lives anywhere, we are diminished everywhere.”
The Prime Minister said education remaining the key in tackling inequality among girls and boys.
Michelle Lokot, World Vision Australia’s gender advisor, said “(d)iscrimination and violence against girls, and violations of their human rights still happen every day.”
Citing statistics showing 600 million women worldwide are illiterate compared to 320 million men, Ms Lokot said studies show girls with higher levels of education not only marry later but have smaller families and survive childbirth at higher rates. They also experience reduced incidences of HIV/AIDS, have children more likely to survive to the age of five, and earn more money, she said.
