The girl I am, the change I lead

“Every girl, everywhere, deserves equality, opportunity, and dignity.”- UN Secretary-General, António Guterres. Historically and culturally, girls have been regarded as less important. In some cultures, female fetuses are aborted as girls are seen as a burden on families. This entrenched discrimination against girls has grown over the years. In Afghanistan girls are not permitted to have an education beyond grade 6. Alarmingly, 80% of school-aged Afghan girls and women are out of school. Many are forced into marriages. This retrograde policy by the Taliban controlled government has restricted and suspended the human rights of girls. Across the globe, gender equality is frowned upon, giving rise to a rigid culture of patriarchy and control over the bodies and minds of girls. Too many girls do not have a safe space whether at home or at school. Oftentimes, schools are sites for conflict and trauma. Girls are frequently bullied and abused. Unfortunately, in many spaces, bullying has become normalized. This permissive culture of bullying in educational institutions runs counter to many girls achieving their true potential. On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. The day is set aside to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights. This year’s theme is, “The girl I am, the change I lead.” Unquestionably, achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment is integral to each of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during their formative years, but also as they mature into women. If effectively supported and educated, girls have the potential to change the world both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, political leaders, and mothers. An investment in realizing the power of girls upholds their rights today and promises a more equitable and prosperous future, one in which half of humanity is an equal partner in solving the problems of climate change, political conflict, economic growth, disease prevention, and global sustainability. Gender Equality. While gender equality has made much needed and positive strides forward, there is so much further to go. The UN adds, globally, 650 million girls and women alive today have experienced sexual violence in childhood. Nearly one in five girls are married during childhood. Adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24 are still twice as likely to not be in education, employment or training. In addition to being a fundamental human rights gender equality is essential to fostering peaceful societies, with full human potential and sustainable development. Moreover, it has been shown that empowering women spurs productivity and economic growth. Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go to achieve full equality of rights and opportunities between men and women. Regrettably, the safety of girls continues to be of alarming concern in the Caribbean. This encompasses all forms of violence and harassment, such as physical, psychological and sexual violence. In recent times a number of girls have been raped and murdered in Jamaica. According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), close to 300 million (3 in 4) children aged 2-4 worldwide experience violent discipline by their parents/caregivers at home on a regular basis; 250 million (around 6 in 10) are punished by physical means. In Jamaica, 8 in 10 children ages 2-14 experience some form of violent discipline. In Jamaica, 6 in 10 students say they have been bullied at some point in their lives. The Jamaica Constabulary Force statistics: for the period January 1-October 21, 2017 states that a total of 47 children were murdered: 29 males and 18 females. During the same period in 2016, a total of 32 children were murdered: 26 Males and 6 females. In total in 2016, 41 children were murdered: 33 males and 8 females. The heinous nature of these crimes has left the collective consciousness of the society in mourning. The Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), described as the women’s international bill of rights has been endorsed by the majority of countries. It is therefore vital that Caribbean governments in particular examine the status of girls, and evaluate the effectiveness of policies and laws enacted to protect girls. On this the International Day of the Girl Child let us collectively use our platforms to give a voice and safe space to girls many of whom are marginalized. Let us imagine a world where girls are empowered to become agents of change. On this special day of the Girl the global community should encourage girls to speak out but also to share girls’ achievements, triumphs, and contributions as we build towards a brighter and more equitable future for girls everywhere. Happy, International Day of the Girl. In the words of the United Nations, all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that “everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, birth or other status. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #InternationalDayoftheGirl