By Muneer Shamee
We all remember the important days of historical importance like 15th August, 26th January and 2nd October and celebrate all these memorable days with zeal and enthusiasm. We are excited in watching spell binding events on our national television. But very few among us know that 11th October as it is the day of International Girl Child Day and the day of nations pride. In 1995 at the World Conference on women in Beijing countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and platform for action- the most progressive blueprint for the rights of not only women but also girls. On December 19, 2011 United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognise girl’s rights and the unique challenges girl face around the world. Since then it has been celebrated every year to stop social evils like child marriage, dowry system and Sati Pratha.
Every girl has a boundless potential and despite their harmful gender inequality, they are still influential in their lives. A day is dedicated to amplifying the voices of the girl child and stand up for their rights. When girls are educated, every country become stronger and prosperous. More and more girls are breaking boundaries and barriers, tackling issues like child marriage, education inequality, violence, injustice and inequitable access to healthcare. There is a world-wide demands of happy life free from gender based inequality, violence, recognition and investment as leaders of social change. Stereotypes barrier are broken and there is the exclusion of world-wide name and fame. Innumerable girls are attending school, college, universities and even becoming self employed. Very few are getting married or becoming mother at early adolescent stages. Some of them have excelled in the health sectors and professional entrepreneurs, innovators and pioneer in various fields.
Getting self-employed, self-dependant and self reliant they are becoming role models for future generations. The need of an hour is the safety, security and well-being of girl’s child in the 21st Century. We can put an end to the evil practices like child-marriage, female foeticide, kidnapping, molestation, dowry and other such harmful practices. The progress and prosperity of girls are unstoppable for the peaceful world. Girls are powerful, game changers, world shapers, resilient, leaders, our future, brave and well efficient in handling computers and laptops. Girls need to raise her voice against violence, fighting for own freedom, through writing, internet or social media they get her voice across the world. Each and every girls have entrepreneurial skills that is very important for achieving success. People obsessed with patriarchal thoughts restricts girl having disability, have limited access and scope, limited writing ability.
Education is the every right of women for overall development. Always be confident, loud in speaking, don’t get afraid to fail, you will definitely learn in long way, can help make our world a better place, can create better narratives for novels, can educate young ones, can write history and make possible the impossible. Give them respect to bloom happily in fresh environment. Love our daughters and stop stereotyping. Girl have immense driving force in making a positive change. Every girl is beautiful, unique and appreciable. Let’s pledge not a single girl should be deprived of her right to education, right to freedom, right to living, freedom of speech and freedom of equality and justice. We should raise voices against injustice, intolerance and inhuman treatment. Millions and millions of female children are slaughtered every year because they are thought to be burden for family, society and nation. Various government schemes are enforced time to time for the upliftment of girl child like ‘ Beti Bacchao, Beti padhao’. Education is the main motive of women’s emancipation and empowerment. It is the day to make a difference by spreading about this cruelty, so raise our voice and fight for the rights of every girl child who face negligence in their lives.