Every year on October 11, we have the opportunity to come together and recognize the International Day of the Girl Child. This is a day to collectively advocate for girls’ rights, elevate their voices and call for action to ensure every girl child can be active agents in their own life. This year's theme is “The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis.” (United Nations) Now, more than ever, it's important to reflect on how we can support and empower girls as leaders of their own journey.
Girl children around the globe face barriers in their community in accessing education, finding employment, and often have many injustices to their fundamental rights. In times of crises, these vulnerabilities are often magnified, leaving girls even further behind.
Women and girls are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and climate-related crises. It is estimated that by 2050, climate change may push up to 158 million more women and girls into poverty. (UN Women) As climate change makes resources like water, food and fuel scarce, girl children are the first to take on this burden.
Women and girls face barriers to education, which is only exacerbated during times of crises. During times of crises, girl children are often the first in their families to leave school. There are 68 million women and girls that are out of school in fragile and conflict-affected places. (World Bank)
Girls in places of crises are more vulnerable to early marriage. One in three girls in fragile and conflict-affected places are married before age 18, further amplifying school dropouts and household labour. (Girls not Brides)
As part of the Empowering Women and Girls project, we support women and girls that are experiencing vulnerability to connect with education and employment. We focus on several pillars to support the resiliency of women and girls, including education and school reintegration, vocational and life skills training, economic empowerment, access to finance, and changing social norms.
Lisa was a girl on the frontlines of crises at home in Bangladesh. When her father fell ill, her family experienced a financial crisis. Unable to support the family, Lisa’s parents looked to arrange marriage for her and Lisa dropped out of school. Encouraged by her former teacher and a social worker from our community partner CMES, Lisa did not get married and returned to school at age 14. The school waived fees, supplied books, and a part‐time teacher helped her after hours, paid by locally raised funds. Today, Lisa is not only resilient, but she is also carving out a new journey for herself. Click here to read Lisa’s full journey.
Times of crises can exacerbate the barriers already faced by women and girls, making it important to holistically provide tools and opportunities for women and girls.When we invest in girls’ education and empowerment, we do more than respond to crisis, we build resilience for generations to come. Supporting the girl child means building resiliency and opportunity for girl children to be the leaders of their own life. As we honour this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, let us continue working toward a world where every girl can reach her full potential.
