Being a Nepalese girl advocate, taking part in this year’s International Day of the Girl was incredibly powerful. The day served as a forum for talking about important topics impacting girls around the world, with an emphasis on safety, health, and education. Having these discussions helped me better appreciate the particular difficulties faced by girls and reaffirmed my dedication to fighting for their rights.
The necessity of protecting girls’ safety and wellbeing both online and offline was one of the most urgent issues we covered. Every girl needs to feel secure at home, at school, and in public places. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) emphasised how the development of digital technology has made gender-based violence like cyberbullying and online harassment more prevalent. Since these risks have the potential to negatively affect girls’ mental health and general wellbeing, it is critical to investigate workable solutions to mitigate these risks.
Girls from a variety of backgrounds expressed their need for safer surroundings, highlighting the need for us to act to resolve these problems. Governments, organizations, and communities must work together to create safe settings where girls can flourish fearlessly.
We also explored the particular difficulties that girls, in all their diversity, encounter. Discrimination and exploitation on the basis of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, cultural identity, disability, location, and migrant status were explored, as well as obstacles to receiving necessary assistance. These elements frequently have detrimental effects on the general well-being, education, and health of girls.
It became evident during our conversations that the laws intended to protect our rights usually ignore the health of girls. Essential health services, including nutrition, education, mental health assistance, and reproductive health care, remain inaccessible to many girls. Social and cultural norms might further limit access to medical care, raising the possibility of exploitation and violence.
As a Nepalese girl advocate, I feel a fresh sense of purpose after thinking back on this event. The challenges we discussed and the discussions we had are essential to building a brighter future for girls globally. We empower ourselves and set the path for future generations by standing out for our safety and rights.
All parties involved must pledge to implement workable solutions that tackle these issues as we proceed. By working together, we can build a culture in which all girls, regardless of their upbringing, feel respected, safe, and empowered to engage fully in society. To ensure that we all have the chance to succeed, let’s keep speaking out and fighting for the rights of all females.
Author: Ruby, Mary Ward and Working Group on Girls (WGG) Girl Advocate
