My Voice, Our Equal Future
International Day of the Girl Child is observed each year on 11th October. The theme for 2020 is My voice, our equal future. This day provides an opportunity for us to imagine, and work towards, a world where the human rights and gifts of all girls are respected and promoted. Every girl has the right to live free from violence, to attend and complete school, to choose whom and when she marries and to receive equal right for equal work.
Goal 5 of the Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”. There has been progress in some areas. However, the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2020 indicates women and children are also among those bearing the heaviest brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic’s effects. Many countries have seen a surge in reports of domestic violence against women and children.
