International Day of the Girl

International Day of the Girl Child is an international observance day declared by the United Nations, it’s also called the Day of the Girl and the International Day of the Girl, October 11, 2012, was the first Day of the Girl. The initiative supports more opportunity for girls and increases awareness of gender inequality faced by girls worldwide based upon their gender.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Account, One Stop Center Scheme, Mahila E-Haat are few measures undertaken by the Indian Government towards the upliftment of women. Over the years India has shown incremental improvement in gender inequality indicators. October 9-14 is also celebrated as the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Week.

The day is marked by all events over the world, from India to Kenya to Washington to Paris, put on by humanitarian organizations, nonprofits and governments alike. With 1.1 Billion girls in the world, the United Nations aims to help those girls that face disadvantage and discrimination on a daily basis and wants to highlight their struggle.

The Indian constitution provides a powerful mandate for human rights in its Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Duties and specific provisions for affirmative action. The government has instituted laws and policies protecting the rights of girls and women, including a ban on dowry, pre-birth sex determination and child marriage.

For the fifth year in a row, the youth-led movement is being recognized (the United Nations declared October 11 as “day of the girl” in 2011). This youth led movement fights for gender justice and youth rights, believing that girls are the experts on issues that affect girls. This year the theme of the International Day of the Girl is ‘EmPOWER girls: Before, during and after conflict’ in humanitarian emergencies gender based violence increases which means girls are more likely to be subjected to sexual and physical violence, child marriage, exploitation and trafficking.