Int’l Day of the Girl Child marked
Kathmandu, October 11
Forth International Day of the Girl Child-2015 was observed today by organising various programmes across the country.
Rural Women’ Network Nepal in association with National Women’s Commission, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Asian Girl Campaign and Garden of Hope Foundation organised the first girls’ conference in the capital today.
The conference ended by issuing a 23-point Kathmandu Declaration to advocate for girls’ leadership, education, health and safety, and skill for income generation.
Dhruba Prasad Ghimire, general secretary, RUWON, speaking at the function said that it was the first girls’ conference with participation of 173 girls from 37 districts.
The conference also formed a 17-member national girls’ committee under the chairmanship of Mira Tamang to advocate for girls’ right to education, health, safety, skill and other things necessary for them.
Rosina Shrestha is the vice-chairperson, NV Sherpa secretary, Sabita Acharya joint secretary, Aarati Subedi treasurer and Sangita Karki the spokesperson for the committee.
Similarly, Women Rehabilitation Centre also organised an interaction to mark the Forth International Day of the Girl Child. The speakers at the programme stressed on the need for ensuring sexual and reproductive health education to adolescent girls.
The speakers in the interaction also discussed the usage of faulty contraceptive methods and its social implications and health consequences.
The theme for International Day of the Girl Child-2015 is ‘The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030’.
On the occasion, United Nations Population Fund has expressed commitment to the bold pledge of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind and to prioritize investment in girls as the smart choice for the health and prosperity of Nepal.
It said that it will continue to work with government of Nepal, the United Nations systems and civil society to make 2030 Agenda a reality.In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly had adopted October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.
A version of this article appears in print on October 12, 2015 of The Himalayan Times.
