International Girl Child Day commemoration at BMICH

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

International Girl Child Day will be commemorated at the BMICH today under the patronage of First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.

The commemoration ceremony will be organised by the Child Development and Women's Affairs Ministry under the theme 'You are our daughter (Oba Ape Diyaniyai)'.

The International Day of the Girl Child promotes girls' rights and highlights gender inequalities, that remain between girls and boys. It is a UN observance annually held on October 11.

The International Day of the Girl Child gives people and organisations the opportunity to raise public awareness of the different types of discrimination and abuse that many girls around the world suffer from.

Child Development and Women's Affairs Minister Tissa Karaliyadda said several events will be held to showcase the work people do to empower girls with the support of parents, families and the community.

Discrimination and violence against girls and violations of their human rights still continue. The UN felt a need to raise awareness of the challenges that millions of girls face every day. The United Nations General Assembly on December 19, 2011, adopted a resolution to declare October 11 as International Day of the Girl Child, establishing a day to recognise girls' rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.

"In reserving a day for advocacy and action by and for girls, people can signal its commitment to end gender stereotypes, discrimination, violence, and economic disparities that disproportionately affect girls," the minister said.

The International Day of the Girl Child serves to recognise girls as a population that faces difficult challenges, including gender violence, early marriage, child labour, and discrimination at work. The term "girl child" is commonly used abroad to distinguish the unique challenges faced by those under 18 years from those faced by women, Karaliyadda said.

"This day will raise awareness about these life-hindering obstacles, and will pro - actively breakdown those obstacles locally and globally," he said.

A ministry official said over 1,200 girls representing all nine districts will participate in the national event. Another 200 girls residing in children's homes will also participate.