October 11: International Day of the Girl Child

Every year, International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated by UNICEF. It is celebrated on October 11. This year, the day is celebrated under the following theme

Theme: My voice, our equal future

Highlights

The International Day of Girl Child, 2020 marks 25 years of Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for working towards empowering girls. The day celebrates importance, power and potential of girls all over the world. The day also highlights girl needs and problems they face.

Sustainable Development Goal

The Sustainable Development Goal 5 aims to achieve Gender Equality by 2030. Women do 2.6 times more unpaid and domestic work than men. The 2019 Sustainable Development Index measure says that gender equality is aligned to 14 of 17 SDGs in 129 countries.

History

The day began as Plan international in Canada. It was begun by an NGO. Later the NGO requested the United Nations to mark the day internationally.

India

India celebrates both International Day of the Girl and also National Girl Child Day. The National Girl Child Day is celebrated on January 24 every year.

National Girl Child Day

It is celebrated to create awareness on the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio in the country. It aims to create a positive environment in valuing a girl child. It was initiated in 2008.

Beti Bachao Beti Padao

The GoI launched the scheme in 2015. It aims to provide education to every girl child in the country. It also addresses the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio. The main objective of the scheme is to protect the girl child ensuring them protection.

The scheme is a tri-ministerial effort. It is implemented by Ministry of Women and Child Development, Human Resource Development and Health and Family Welfare.

Beijing Declaration

It was adopted at the fourth World Conference on women, 1995. During the conference leaders from all over the world agreed on a plan to achieve global equality.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2020