MONROVIA, LIBERIA, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2024 – Today marks the International Day of the Girl Child, a global observance championed by the United Nations to highlight the rights and empowerment of girls worldwide. The Liberian Women Advocacy Network International (LWANI) joined local and international advocacy organizations to celebrate and honor the contributions and potential of girls, underlining the significance of this day.
LWANI’s message of celebration featured the phrase: “We are, HER… Headstrong, Educated, Resourceful.” This statement encapsulates the organization’s admiration for girls and young women, embodying the qualities that define them. The acronym “HER” was emphasized to reflect the traits of the Girl Child: “H” for Headstrong, representing determination and confidence; “E” for Educated, signifying access to knowledge and learning; and “R” for Resourceful, highlighting the ability to overcome challenges and make the best of opportunities.
Through this celebration, LWANI recognizes the strength and potential of girls, affirming the privilege it is to support and nurture them. LWANI, an advocacy group committed to fighting against sexual and gender-based violence, as well as human rights abuses in Liberia and diaspora communities, made it a point to acknowledge the importance of uplifting girls in the face of adversity.
Founded by the United Nations, the International Day of the Girl Child first launched on October 11, 2012, with the aim of increasing awareness of the challenges girls face, including gender inequality, limited access to education, healthcare, and protection from violence and discrimination. The initiative also calls attention to child marriages and other harmful practices affecting young girls globally.
The day’s observance marks an important milestone in recognizing the critical role of girls in the world’s future development. The initiative started as part of Plan International’s Because I Am a Girl campaign, promoting awareness and support for girls in developing countries. The Canadian government, in partnership with Plan International, was pivotal in urging the United Nations to pass a resolution in 2011, officially designating October 11 as International Day of the Girl Child.
Today, the day stands as a reminder that empowering girls and investing in their development is key to achieving economic growth, eradicating poverty, and breaking the cycles of discrimination and violence. It is also a call for the active participation of girls in decision-making processes, with support from families, communities, and society at large, including the involvement of boys and men in promoting gender equality.
As LWANI and countless organizations worldwide celebrate this day, they highlight the progress made and the work that remains in empowering girls and young women, ensuring that they receive the opportunities they deserve to thrive and lead.
