The Girl Child Is Still Under Threat Globally

2022 has been a dangerous year for the girl child. In Afghanistan, many girls continue to be prevented from accessing secondary and higher education. On September 30, 2022, over 50 girls and young women, predominately Hazara, were killed as they were preparing for an exam at the Kaaj educational centre in Dasht-e-Barchi, western Kabul. Subsequent women-led protests were met with violence. The Taliban send a clear message that as a girl, you will not access education. If you try, you will face consequences, including death. If you dare to protest this treatment, consequences will follow too.

In Iran, and as protests concerning the treatment of women in the county continue, following the killing of Mahsa Amini, two teenage girls were killed. Sarina Esmailzadeh, 16, and Nika Shakarami, 17, were allegedly beaten to death.

In Syria, hundreds of Yazidi girls and women continue to be enslaved by Daesh, having been abducted from Sinjar in August 2014. They continue to be abused and the end of their suffering is nowhere to be seen as the international community is not acting to rescue them.

In Pakistan, hundreds of Hindu and Christian girls are abducted every year, forced to convert and marry. They are often between 12 and 14 years of age. Their future is stolen from them.

The list goes on.

Statements, repeated by States, including at the U.N., about the importance of protecting the girl child, and giving her the best opportunities to flourish, have not led to a meaningful change. The girl child is still under threat globally. And so is the woman the girl child will grow into one day, if she is lucky enough.

October 11 marks the International Day of the Girl Child, a day established on December 19, 2011, by the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170. The day has since been used to affirm and promote girls’ rights and shed light on the unique challenges girls face around the world. Marking the 10th International Day of the Girl Child in 2022, the United Nations emphasized that, “In these last 10 years, there has been increased attention on issues that matter to girls amongst governments, policymakers and the general public, and more opportunities for girls to have their voices heard on the global stage. Yet, investments in girls’ rights remain limited and girls continue to confront a myriad of challenges to fulfilling their potential; made worse by concurrent crises of climate change, COVID-19 and humanitarian conflict. Girls around the world continue to face unprecedented challenges to their education, their physical and mental wellness, and the protections needed for a life without violence. COVID-19 has worsened existing burdens on girls around the world and worn away important gains made over the last decade.”

Girls and women continue to be significantly affected by crises felt in the world, be it climate change, the pandemic or humanitarian crisis, and more than men. Changes must follow but changes that go further than mere statements in solidarity with girls and women. Girls and women require effective and comprehensive protections of their rights and their person. This includes laws and policies that put girls and women at the centre of attention, and this in recognition of the challenges faced.