Unic Press UK: The United Nations said yesterday, Wednesday, that Girls’ should be empowered before, during and after crises.
“The world’s 1.1 billion girls are a source of power, energy, and creativity – and the millions of girls in emergencies are no exception. This year’s International Day of the Girl (IDG) on October 11 marks the beginning of a year-long effort to spur global attention and action to the challenges and opportunities girls face before, during, and after crises”, the UN said on Wednesday, the 11th October 2017, as the world marked the International Day of the Girl Child.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), one of the specialized agencies of the UN, used the occasion to reiterate its commitment to promoting the protection of girls’ from violence and conflict.
In a message ‘EmPOWER Girls: Emergency Response and Resilience Planning’ issued Wednesday, marking this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, the , Director-General of UNESCO, Ms Irina Bokova, said:
“Whether caused by armed conflict or natural disaster, humanitarian crises always hurt women and girls the most – they account for more than 75 percent of the refugees and displaced persons at risk from war, famine, persecution and natural disaster. They are also vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation, during conflicts and in refugee camps. No society will flourish and no peace agreement will be lasting without empowering girls in peacebuilding and reconstruction.”
Since 11 October 2012, the 11 October of each year had been marked as the International Day of the Girl. It is used to “highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights”.
