International Day of the Girl Child is an international observance marked by the United Nations on October 10 every year to increase awareness of gender inequality faced by girls worldwide. It is also called the Day of Girls and the International Day of the Girl. This day aims to increase awareness about gender inequality in areas of education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care and protection from discrimination, forced child marriage. Ahead of International Day of the Girl Child 2019, here's a little bit about the history, significance and theme for this year's celebrations. 10 Ways In Which We Can Make The World Better For The Girl Child.

Despite constant efforts to empower women and give them equal opportunities, cases of gender-based oppression are rife even in 2019. It is a global problem that needs to be addressed and such observances give rise to more discussions on promoting equality. Girls have proved time and again with their achievements that they can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with boys in any field. National Girl Child Day 2019: Empowering Quotes You Can Share With the Little Girls That Will Make Their Day.

Theme of International Day of the Girl Child 2019

This year's theme of the celebration is, "GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable." The UN website states: "We will celebrate achievements by, with and for girls since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the passage of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990."

History and Significance

The celebration of International Day of the Girl Child began as a project of Plan International, an NGO that operates worldwide. The idea to observe such a day began from their campaign "Because I Am a Girl", which raises awareness of the importance of nurturing girls globally and in developing countries in particular. After raising awareness about the same internationally they urged the United Nations to become involved. This day was then proposed as a resolution by Canada in the UN General Assembly. On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly voted to pass a resolution adopting October 11, 2012 as the inaugural International Day of Girls.

As per this resolution, it recognises girl empowerment, making them involved in economic growth, the achievement of all Millennium Development Goals, including the eradication of poverty and extreme poverty. It also involves them in the participation of girls in decision making, breaking the cycle of discrimination. It aims to promote and protect them through human rights. Each year's themes are also aimed at empowering them in the said fields. Various events are planned to promote the Day of Girls are planned in several countries, many of which are sponsored by the UN.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 10, 2019 09:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).