Here at Mama Disrupt we strive to empower women through the ups and downs of life and motherhood! We’re also passionate about sharing the stories of inspiring women facing life’s challenges head on everyday. That’s why it’s so important to stop and observe the powerful message behind International Day of the Girl.
Today on October 11, the global community comes together to recognise the struggles faced by young girls everywhere, including gender inequality, child marriage, violence and the denial of their basic human rights.
IDG began as a project of Plan International, a non-governmental charity that fights for the rights of children around the world, particularly girls.
In 2011, the initiative along with other campaigns received recognition from the United Nations which adopted 11 October 2012 as the inaugural International Day of the Girl.
The stats of injustice are alarming – an estimated 3 million women and girls worldwide are currently enslaved in the sex trade, 15 million girls under the age of 18 are married each year, and in many places girls and young women cannot vote, cannot inherit land and don’t have access to justice.
So how can you help? It could be as small as having a chat with your friends and family about the issues girls face in your community, or getting involved with an organisation that’s working towards equality for girls. Participate in fundraisers within your workplace, donate to a cause or become an advocate.
“Girls worldwide face a wall of resistance in their struggle to progress and realise their dreams. They often have no power over the decisions they make or the choices they have,” says Susanne Legena, Deputy CEO of Plan International Australia.
This year, Plan International have engineered 600 “takeovers” in more than 60 countries, in which girls will step into the shoes of leaders, presidents, mayors and CEOs for the day. Inspired? Takeovers will be documented live across the world here by using the #girlstakeover and #dayofthegirl hashtag.
Other organisations are following suit, the United Nations will be hosting an 11-day summit on health, happiness and activism; and UNICEF will be holding events, classes and fundraisers worldwide.
So make sure you take the time today to tell every girl you know (or don’t know) that they’re talented, important and deserve the best.
The message is simple: we all have a role to play in creating an equal world.
Plan International is a global organisation, working in more than 51 developing countries to provide children with access to basic rights like education, food, clean water, health, protection, play, and a good standard of living.
