On the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, girls throughout the world still face ‘double discrimination’ due to both sex and age.
Women past and present have made enormous economic, political and social achievements, but much more needs to be done to enable millions of girls to reach their true potential, especially in developing countries.
Lack of opportunities and recognition for girls is one of the most pressing issues in international development.
Research has shown that investing in girls and young women has a disproportionately beneficial effect in alleviating poverty - not only for girls themselves but for their families, communities and entire countries. Girls who spend an extra year at school will on average increase their lifetime income by 10 to 20 percent.
Deepali Sood, Director of Plan’s Because I am a Girl campaign said: “Women's empowerment begins with girl’s empowerment. Breaking the cycle of gender discrimination requires that we promote and protect the rights of girls. At the same time we also need to equip them with the skills and opportunities they need to transform their lives and those of their communities.”
Simply being born a girl can leave a child at a huge disadvantage in life. In the poorest societies a girl faces greater risk of malnutrition, hunger and disease compared to her brothers. She will have fewer opportunities for an education and career. In many developing countries one out of seven girls marries before age 15.
Girls are often bundled together with women and children, with the result that their particular needs and the challenges they face at home, school and in society are neglected.
Plan is therefore calling for September the 22nd to be recognised as the international ‘Day of the Girl’ which would ensure awareness of girls’ rights.
Plan recently brought a delegation of girls and young women to the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women in New York, who called on the international community to recognize their unique needs.
At the event Lil Shira, a young woman from Cameroon said: “Girls are being neglected, marginalized, and discriminated in families and society. Most of the girls are ignorant about their rights. The Day of the Girl will make girls feel respected, recognized and their contributions valued in society.”