INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL

CHILDCreated by the GenEq Committee

2013

What is International Day of the Girl Child? It is a response to an urgent problem facing our

world today: the neglect and devaluation of girls around the world.

On December 19, 2011, the U.N. declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child.

It is honored worldwide because these issues are faced all over the world – not only in a few countries.

This year’s theme: Innovating for Girls’ Education.

The Mission According to the U.N., the goal of this day is

“to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.”

On October 11 of every year, groups around the world act to highlight, discuss, and celebrate girls’ lives and opportunities across the globe.

After discussing gender issues, then people can take action to change the status quo.

Issues Girls Face Today 54% of 3rd-5th grade girls worry about their

appearance and 37% worry about their weight. By 2015, females will make up 64% of the

world’s illiterate (adult) population. Only 30% of girls in the world are enrolled in

secondary school. One in seven girls in developing countries is

married off before age 15. 1 in 5 high school girls has been physically or

sexually abused by a dating partner.

Topics Covered in this Presentation Self Esteem Child Marriage Education

Self Esteem Worldwide

While only19% of teenage girls are ‘overweight,’ 67% think they need to lose weight.

70% of girls avoid certain activities because they feel bad about their looks.

Low self esteem can lead to destructive behavior, self-harming, eating disorders, alcohol/drug abuse, and depression.

Media & Self Esteem

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U

Media & Self Esteem

Why do you think media made so many changes to the image of the model?

How does media affect girl’s self esteem?

Child Marriage Worldwide Statistics One in seven girls in developing countries will

be married before the age of 15. Girls under 15 who are pregnant are five times

more likely to die in childbirth than women aged 20 to 24.

Girls from poor families are nearly twice as likely to marry before 18 than girls from wealthier families.

Medical complications from pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death among girls aged 15-19.

Percentage of Women Ages 20-24 Married by Age 18

Child Marriage

Preventing child marriage will protect girls' rights and help reduce their risks of violence, early pregnancy, HIV infection, and maternal death and disability.

They are less likely to go to school – and the lack of education hinders a girl's prospects of earning an income, often perpetuating and deepening the cycle of poverty for their families.

Education Education helps a girl to respect herself and to be

respected by others. Education drastically reduces child marriage. On

average, a girl with 7 years of education will marry 4 years later and have 2.2 fewer children.

Education is essential for a strong economy. One extra year of school boosts a girl’s future wages by 10-20 percent.

Education fosters critical thinking skills, which are essential for effective leaders and democracy. More women are needed to solve global problems.

Issues that Girls Face in Georgia

Do some of these issues apply to Georgia?

Are there other gender issues in Georgia?

What can we do to help?

If you have questions, please contact the GenEq Committee genderequalitypcgeorgia@gmail.com

Works Cited

The Girl Affect. www.girlaffect.org International Day of the Girl Child.

http://dayofthegirl.org/ International Women’s Health Coalition.

www.iwhc.org Together for Girls.

www.togetherforgirls.org The United Nations.

http://www.un.org/en/events/girlchild/