The International Girl Child Day was celebrated on 11th October 2012 at a local hotel in Karachi under Adolescent Girls Empowerment (AGE) Project in collaboration with HANDS, Rutgers WPF and Women Development Department Govt of Sindh.
Only one third of girls start their education while Girls Primary school completion rates are below 50%. Discrimination and violence against girls and violations of their human rights are still happening even in this modern century. Early age marriage is a burning issue for our country and the young girls who are forced into such marriages sustain only few social connections and they stay very restricted mobility and this opens them up to domestic violence, inequality, undue domestic responsibility and put in danger their right to education and skillful learning said Tauqeer Fatima Bhutto Provincial Minister Women Development Department Sindh. She further said that Role of the women in development of the society must be recognized and Platform should be established for encouraging young girls to come forward for equality and role of women in development of the country. Malala may be taken as a role model in the line of struggle for girls education..
Dr Tanveer Shaikh Chief executive HANDS said in his welcome address on the observance that The International Day of the Girl Child will give people the opportunity to have awareness of the different types of discrimination and abuse that many girls around the world suffer from. Girls are the future of the world and we definitely need a day dedicated to their issues.” The issues of the girl child must be brought to light for media institutions, for government institutions, for educational institutions and all stake holders to take the time to think and initiate for fulfilling the moral responsibility granted by the moral legacy.
Bilquis Rehman GM ICR and Advicacy Program HANDS Highlighted early age marriages issue through a presentation, Kanwal Qayum Manager Rutgers and Hadiya Farooq of Youth Network also spoke at the event. Abdul Rahim Moosvi Provincial co ordinator AGE project performed as stage secretary.
A role play was performed from the adolescent case study from field to realize the need of society engagement through girls’ rights, gender inequalities that remain between girls and boys and various forms of discrimination and abuse girls suffer. Representatives from Civil Society Organizations, International Organizations, Youth network, Media and Government Officials participated in this event.