Today is the International Day of the Girl.
In 1995, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted and considered to be the most visionary blueprint for the empowerment of women and girls. The declaration demands to:
- Eliminate all forms of discrimination against girls
- Eliminate negative cultural attitudes and practices against girls
- Promote and protect the rights of the girl child and increase awareness of her needs and potential
- Eliminate discrimination against girls in education, skills development and training
- Eliminate discrimination against girls in health and nutrition
- Eliminate the economic exploitation of child labour and protect young girls at work
- Eradicate violence against girls
- Promote the girl child’s awareness of and participation in social, economic and political life
While much progress has been made, there is still much to be done. Each year, 12 million girls under 18 are married, 130 million girls worldwide are still out of school, and approximately 15 million adolescent girls aged 15-19 have experienced forced sex.
Take a few minutes today and check out UN Women, and research what you can do to be a member of Generation Equality.
Will you be a member of Generation Equality?