International Day of the Girl

Today 11 October 2019, the world is celebrating the international day of the girl child. The day was first observed in 2012 and in 7 years has much changed in terms of gender inequality? Are there any reasons to celebrate? 

We are completing our 2nd decade in the 2nd millennium as human beings and yet, girls around the world still suffer discrimination in areas such as health and access to education. The latest statistic showed that at least 70 million girls worldwide still do not have access to basic education as opposed to 40 million for boys. Violence against girls as well as issues such as forced marriages are still rampant in many developing societies. Even In modern societies, girls are often provided with less opportunities at the early stage of their formative years which we all know lead to an increasing gender gap in pay and work opportunities later on in life. 

Perhaps one of the rare ray of light though, one providing us with a tangible reason to celebrate, comes from a Norwegian teenage girl, Greta Thurnberg, who single handedly is shaking the world with her campaign to act now with regards to climate change. She is doing it by sacrificing her own formal education. The price to pay to be heard as a girl is high. Much like Joan of Arc, who paid with her life, Greta is showing us what could be achieved by girls. 

The real power in the voice of a girl who day by day formulates the future of her family because she is listened to, can also change the course of humanity. 

Though sometimes these international days may seem futile, they do help us to reflect on the issues and possible solutions. By raising awareness and educating more girls, more Gretas and Joans will emerge in the common girls around the world. One day girls will not need to pay the high price to be heard. 

Jay Ramanah.