Did you know that if you were a woman travelling in a car, there is a 47% greater chance of severe injury in case of a crash because the safety features of the car are designed for men? Did you know that everyday 33000 girls become child-brides? Did you know that only 6 countries in the world give women equal legal rights as men? We could go on with more such shocking gender-disparity statistics. But we will stop because we know we have got your attention.

The Need For International Day Of The Girl Child

“All men are created equal” is a popular and famous statement that emphasises universal equality among all human beings. The irony however, lies in the very wording of the statement because it uses the term ‘man’ to denote humans! What about women and girls? For centuries now, women have been restricted to varying degrees in exercising their human rights and enjoying fundamental freedoms. This silent and accepted discrimination based on gender begins from the womb and extends till the tomb. So deeply ingrained is this inequity and apathy towards the girl child that we need an International Day to recognize the rights of girls and the unique challenges that they face around the world!

Breaking The Glass Ceiling

Times are changing though. It started with one-off cases of girls breaking barriers and boundaries created by stereotypes and exclusion. As awareness and efforts grew, the number of girls and women breaking the glass ceiling across fields also grew. Today, when girls  with disabilities and those who are living in marginalised communities shine forth, it represents a definite paradigm shift. Girls are today creating a new world that is relevant in the present and for the future. They are rising as professionals, stepping forward as innovators, entrepreneurs and initiators of movements globally.

It has become increasingly clear that empowering girls and ensuring gender equality is critical to accelerate the sustainable and all-round development of society. Ending all kinds of discrimination against women and girls is not only about upholding human rights, but it is also about correcting historical human wrongs!

Yet So Far…

Despite all the progress so far, girls across the globe continue to face multiple challenges in securing education, physical health, mental wellness and protections for a life without violence. It is worse for girls with disabilities and the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened things even more for girls. Important gains they had made over the last decade have been eroded in just 2 years.  The World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Report of 2018 clearly stated that it would take at least 108 more years to achieve gender parity at the current progress rate!

The UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) has proclaimed the 2022 theme for the International Day of the Girl Child as “Our time is now – our rights, our future”. Well, whatever be your gender, the time to act is definitely now and there is no time to waste. We are running quite late already!