The International Day of the Girl Child, observed every year on 11 October, is dedicated to fostering the empowerment of young women and realising the challenges that they are faced with across the globe.
Organised by UNICEF and Plan International, the event aims to unite young women with advocates for their rights, including UN leaders, NGOs, governments and businesses.
During turbulent times of war and resulting global displacement, particularly harsh effects are experienced by girls.
UNICEF research has found that around the world, 129 million girls are out of school, including 32 million of primary school age.
Nearly one in five girls are still not completing lower secondary school education and nearly four in ten are not completing upper secondary education.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, 100 million girls were at risk of child marriage in the next decade. Now, over the next ten years, up to 10 million more worldwide will be at risk of marrying as children.
Globally, girls aged five to 14 spend 160 million more hours every day on unpaid care and domestic work than boys of the same age.
It's the International Day of the Girl, a day to celebrate young women and the rights which girls across the globe deserve. @molly_oconnorrr went along to St Canice's Girls National School in Finglas where 6th class had a lot to say about it! @UNICEF @PlanGlobal pic.twitter.com/hcVOGCGbk7
— RTÉ news2day (@news2dayRTE) October 11, 2023
The theme of this year's event is "Invest in Girls' Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-Being" with UNICEF and partners calling for a $1 billion increase in investments for girls.
UNICEF said that it is imperative to increase funding in key areas such as health, violence prevention, education and economic empowerment, in order to secure girls’ rights and development.
CEO of Plan International Paul O’Brien said that injustice is driving girls to act, and that girl activists are changing their communities, and the world around them, for the better.
"In a world where gender discrimination remains widespread, young female activists are all too often ignored, or worse, harassed, or ostracised.
"Their incredible achievements often come at real personal cost. Access to funding and policy-making spaces is also often in short supply, adding to the struggle to get their voices heard," he said.
"Girls and young women have the right to be heard and to shape the decisions that affect their lives. They are making great achievements despite the personal risks to them, showing great courage.
"Without their work, we remain a long way from achieving gender equality.
"That’s why it’s critical that we all play our part in supporting the work of girl activists. Their safety and well-being must be protected, and we need to widen participation in key decision-making processes, to make sure that our future generations aren’t being left behind."
Today, Plan International’s Youth Advisory Panel staged a "takeover" of the office of Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.
There, 18-year-old Dublin student Ciara O’Brien discussed with Commissioner Harris issues concerning girls.
Today is #IDG2023 and Commissioner Harris welcomed Ciara O'Brien, @PlanIreland Youth Advisory Panel member to Garda HQ this afternoon to listen to her important feedback on matters including our protection and support of young women as Ireland’s police and security service. pic.twitter.com/VNUfmX0aDc
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) October 11, 2023
Ms O’Brien addressed concerns she has regarding domestic abuse and gender-based crime, as well as the under-reporting of these incidents to gardaí.
Commissioner Harris said: "I was delighted to meet Ciara and talk about the work she is involved in to highlight the issues facing girls and young women here and abroad as part of International Day of the Girl.
"An Garda Síochána is focused on protecting the most vulnerable in our society including victims of domestic abuse.
"I share Ciara’s concern about ensuring that domestic abuse victims feel they can come forward to An Garda Síochána.
"That is why as an organisation we have put in place 340 specialist detectives in Protective Service Units across the country to prevent and detect these crimes, as well as support victims."
