October 11, 2012
To recognize girls' rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child.
On December 19, 2011, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child.
October 11, 2012
To recognize girls' rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child.
On December 19, 2011, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child.
A child-centred community development organisation, Plan India is celebrating the first ever 'International Day the Girl Child' by illuminating iconic monuments in colour pink, said a media report.
As a part of it's "Because I am a Girl" (BIAAG) campaign, the organisation has urged people from all walks of life to join hands together to support girls' rights.
Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb and Purana Quila in Delhi, and Charminar in Hyderabad will be illuminated pink on October 11 to create awareness and mobilize support for girls' rights.
It may be noted that the day focused on child marriage, which is a fundamental human rights violation and impacts all aspects of a girlâs life.
Child marriage denies a girl of her childhood, disrupts her education, limits her opportunities, increases her risk to be a victim of violence and abuse, jeopardizes her health and therefore constitutes an obstacle to the achievement of nearly every Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and the development of healthy communities.
According to reports, around one in three young women aged 20-24 years were first married before they reached age 18. One third of them entered into marriage before they turned 15. Child marriage results in early and unwanted pregnancies, posing life-threatening risks for girls.
In developing countries also, 90 per cent of births to adolescents aged 15-19 are to married girls, and pregnancy-related complications are the leading cause of death for girls in this age group.
Activities and events to mark the Day are organized by UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women.
Governments in partnership with civil society actors and the international community are called upon to take urgent action to end the harmful practice of child marriage and to:
A-Enact and enforce appropriate legislation to increase the minimum age of marriage for girls to 18 and raise public awareness about child marriage as a violation of girlsâ human rights.
B-Improve access to good quality primary and secondary education, ensuring that gender gaps in schooling are eliminated.
C-Mobilize girls, boys, parents, leaders, and champions to change harmful social norms, promote girlsâ rights and create opportunities for them.
D-Support girls who are already married by providing them with options for schooling, sexual and reproductive health services, livelihoods skills, opportunity, and recourse from violence in the home.
E-Address the root causes underlying child marriage, including gender discrimination, low value of girls, poverty, or religious and cultural justifications.
With Agency inputs
Courtesy: India Today
