International Girl Child Day : All you need to know

 International Girl Child Day : All you need to know

Since 2012, International Girl Child Day is observed on October 11 every year with a different theme. Here is all you need to know about the day.

International Girl Child Day : Girls face a lot of issues in their life, whether its India or any other country in the world they are expected to suffer and bear the pain. Starting from female infanticide to gender inequality to sexual abuse, there is no dearth of issues. Thus to curb these menace and to recognize girls' rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world International Girl Child Day is observed every year.

The International Day of the Girl Child is being celebrated every year on October 11. The main objective of this day is to empower women and help them to get their rights so that they can face the challenges all over the world and meet their needs.

International Girl Child Day is also called the Day of Girls and the International Day of the Girl.

Much progress has been made in the last two decades to ensure every girl is able to grow and develop in good health, still, there is much to do. "For example, 12 million girls are married before age 18 each year. One in five girls globally has experienced sexual violence. In Eastern and Southern Africa, nearly 80% of new HIV infections among adolescents are among girls, according to the World Health Organisation.

International Girl Child Day 2020: Theme

Every year the International Day of the Girl Child has a theme. The theme of International Day of the Girl 2020 is "My voice, our equal future," reimagine a better world inspired adolescent girls. International Day of the Girl 2020 will focus on their demands to:

 

·         "Live free from gender-based violence, harmful practices, and HIV and AIDS

·         Learn new skills towards the futures they choose

·         Lead as a generation of activists accelerating social change"

International Girl Child Day previous themes

2012: Ending child marriage

2013: Innovating form girls

2014: Empowering adolescent girls: Ending the cycle of violence

2015: The power of adolescent girl: Vision for 2030

2016: Girl Progress = Goals' progress: What counts for girls

2017: Empower girls: Before, during and after crises

2018: With her: A skilled girl force

2019: Girl Force: Unscripted And Unstoppable

International Day of the Girl Child: History

In 1995 World Conference on Women took place in Beijing where countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action - the most progressive blueprint for advancing not only the rights of women but also for girls. This declaration is the first to specifically call out girl's rights.

United Nations General Assembly on December 19, 2011, adopted a resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child. Thus, the first International Day of the Girl Child was observed on October 11, 2012, and its theme at that time was "Ending Child Marriage".

On this day various events and campaigns to raise awareness about the challenges faced by girls across the world and creating a healthy and safe environment for every girl child. Here are some inspiring quotes that you can share with friends and family on the 2020 International Day of the Girl Child. You can even share these quotes on a social media platform like Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp status.

 

INTERNATIONAL GIRL CHILD DAY : QUOTES

"The world needs strong women. Women who will lift and build others, who will love and be loved. Women who live bravely, both tender and fierce. Women of indomitable will." -Amy Tenny

"Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others".  -Amelia Earhart

"When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous." -Michelle Obama

"Women's empowerment is intertwined with respect for human rights". -Mahnaz Afkhami

"When women participate in the economy, everyone benefits." - Hillary Clinton

In India, National Girl Child Day is celebrated on January 24 every year. The day was an initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2008.