Still in the spirit of the International Girl day celebration...
The 11th day of October marks the International day for girls and so I have decided to share this post for the girls out there, for those that have lost their life while fighting to be a girl. For those who are still struggling as girls. For those that has conquered the barriers and scorn attached to being a girl . Join me as we unravel through the International girl day and know what it has been like for them in the economic and social progress as women.
"I’m never going to give up on you, so don’t you ever give up on yourselves."
—@MichelleObama
This year's day of the girl focuses on the theme :
"EmPOWER girls: Before, during and after conflict".
From the above theme I have been inspired to share little information about the girl, her right and the height of development our world will experience if she is allowed to a quality education and the right to exist. First I'd like to say that the girl child is a special gift that can not be done without, she is everything and can do anything. Although in the past a girl child has been made to believe that she is inferior and can only be made to "rear" children and be at the husband's bed when ever he wants it but today it is with great joy that I write knowing that there are many that have risen to prove this notion wrong.
“I grew up surrounded by the idea that as girls, we must be perfectly beautiful and get married.”
— Malvika Iyer
Who is today's Girl
She is everything. She’s the up-and-coming CEO of a Fortune company and the brains behind the next breakthrough in medical science. She is the president of her class and the future president of her nation. She is tomorrow's leader. She is a philosopher, an inventor, an entrepreneur, a future gold medal Olympic athlete. she is a pacesetter. A developer of her community. She can do everything. Today, the future and all times a girl can do anything!
Some Girls are cheated because they are "Girls"
Every 10 minutes, somewhere in the world, an adolescent girl dies as a result of violence. In humanitarian emergencies, gender-based violence often increases, subjecting girls to sexual and physical violence, child marriage, exploitation and trafficking. Adolescent girls in conflict zones are 90 per cent more likely to be out of school when compared to girls in conflict-free countries, compromising their future prospects for work and financial independence as adults.
“When you stop violence against girls, they can change this world for better.”
—Elizabeth Chatuwa
Girls have been taken by force, they have been cheated for a long time and cut off from their fundamental human rights simply because they are seen as just girls. So with more girls likely to be involved in domestic work, their transition into the informal economy as adults further hinders their economic and social progress as women.
Educate Her. You educate the whole world
Over 130 million girls around the world didn't go to school today. Millions more braved long distances and dangerous conditions to get to classrooms whose teacher never arrived, or where there were no textbooks or other materials to help them learn. This is not only an injustice, but a crisis with far-reaching and long-lasting consequences.
-Gayle E. Smith
So many times girls has been neglected in the area of education because of culture, tradition and beliefs. Hence, has lead to young girls being married out and against their will. Out of helplessness some have died, others vulnerable and prone to the uncertainties of life because they do not have anything to fall back to. No skill, knowledge or financial reliability.
But money isn't enough. We also need to break down barriers that keep girls out of school, invest in better teachers, connect classrooms, and monitor learning outcomes for success. We must be fair in fighting for quality education for all, but we must also be fierce in our determination to get girls into schools where they belong. When girls are educated, nations are healthier, wealthier and more stable.
-Gayle E. Smith
Investing in girls education is one of the most effective means to drive progress on gender equality, poverty eradication and economic growth. Therefore, educating young women and girls not only has economic benefits, but stands to improve the health of women and children globally.
We all have to understand that an educated girl is a powerful girl, well-equipped and empowered to chase her dreams and improve the world for herself and for us all. Hence, Every girl in every country deserves a quality education, and it's in all of our interests to see that they get it. Their futures -- and ours -- depend on it.
In the vain let us use this day to remember the chibok girls that was abducted in 2014 by militant Islamist group Boko Haram. Even though till today we have not heard of any tangible news concerning their where about and what is left of them, we still hope that girls will be more respected and allowed the right to education in every part of the world. It is their fundamental right and should not be taken from them. Although forgotten but we still plead that they should be brought back in one piece of the numbers still alive.
Conclusion
In one voice in all part of the world, we implore that every girl should be given the opportunity to a good life, through quality education and eradication of poverty at all levels. A girl deserve better and that is what she should get. Let us start appreciating and acknowledging her existence because the forwardness of our nation still require the full and active presence of the woman.
Let your voices be heard for the girl child, she have long been deprived and cheated. Nothing is enough to replace the pains, hurt and neglect suffered by her, but all that can be changed now and it begins with you and I with immediate effect. All of the hurt and sufferings can be turned into joy for the future girl. Let's make the world a better place by giving the girls what is rightly theirs and the empowerment need to achieve goals as women for the promotion of humanity and the well being of mankind.
The change begins with us. Give that girl a voice. I am proud to be a Girl.
sources:
http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/girl-child
http://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/11/opinions/day-of-the-girl-one-campaign-opinion-smith/index.html
http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2017/6/from-where-i-stand--malvika-iyer
http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2016/10/from-where-i-stand-elizabeth-chatuwa
Photo credit: GOOGLE