International Day of the Girl: Investing in Girls' Development to Reduce Early Marriages and Boost Economy
The International Day of the Girl, annually observed on October 11, shines a spotlight on the challenges faced by girls worldwide. This year's theme highlights the importance of investing in girls' development to reduce early marriages, improve their health, and foster economic growth and social stability.
The day, initiated by Plan International and supported by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011, aims to raise awareness about issues such as violence, gender discrimination, and lack of access to education. Around a billion girls face unique challenges, with one in five married before 18, and one in three before 15. More than 120 million girls do not attend school due to unequal access. Similar events, like Daughter's Day in Russia and the Doll Festival in Japan, also recognise the importance of girls' rights.
The International Day of the Girl serves as a reminder of the need for global action to address the issues faced by girls. By investing in their development, we can reduce early marriages, improve their health and resilience, and promote economic growth and social stability.
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