International Day of the Girl Child focuses on education

October 11, 2013 - The United Nations chief is calling on the world to work together to invest in education, so that girls can advance in their personal development and contribute to the progress of the entire human family. “Empowering girls, ensuring their human rights and addressing the discrimination and violence they face are essential to progress for the whole human family,” said UN Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon in a message for the UN’s International Day of the Girl Child, Oct. 11, Friday. “One of the best ways to achieve all of these goals is to provide girls with the education they deserve,” he said, lamenting “too many girls, in too many countries, are held back simply because of their gender.” Those whose mother was also deprived of an education, who live in a poor community or who have a disability face an even steeper climb. “Among girls who do make it to school, many face discrimination and violence,” he said. Ban launched Global Education First Initiative last September to accelerate progress in getting every child into school, especially girls. We are aiming to teach more than reading and counting; we are striving to raise global citizens who can rise to the complex challenges of the twenty-first century. In order to achieve meaningful results, Ban noted, “we need fresh solutions to girls’ education challenges and we must heed the voices of young people.” Hearing from girls around the world participating in the consultations for the new Girl Declaration, he said he has resolved to ensure that Global Education First mobilizes all partners to respond to their powerful call for empowerment. “More broadly, our campaign to reach the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and shape a vision beyond that date must address the concerns and potential of the world’s girls,” Ban added. A UN General Assembly resolution on December 19, 2011, instituted the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.