Why is the International Day of the Girl Child celebrated on October 11?
Bogotá joins this Tuesday, October 11, in celebrating the International Day of the Girl Child, with the aim of reflecting on the respect of their rights, the situations of discrimination experienced by girls and how to prevent violence against them.
Why is the International Day of the Girl Celebrated?
According to the United Nations, the United Nations, in 1995, during the World Conference on Women in Beijing, countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to promote not only women’s rights, but girls’ rights as well.
Thus, the Beijing Declaration was the first to specifically call for girls’ rights.
Thus, on December 19, 2011, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child and to recognize the rights of girls and the unique challenges they face around the world, as well as to promote their empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.
Bogotá committed to the prevention of violence against children
Therefore, the Women’s District Secretariat is implementing the strategy “Weaving worlds of equality with girls and boys”, through which action is taken to prevent violence against girls and boys, seeking to transform beliefs, perceptions, thoughts, prejudices and practices that sustain discrimination, exclusion and violence against women.
Through oral storytelling exercises, writing, videos, reading stories with a gender focus, artistic work such as weaving, painting, drawing, games and crafts, among others, girls and boys reflect and talk about valuing and respecting differences, roles and gender stereotypes, alternative masculinity and different sexual orientation, women’s rights.
So far in 2022, a total of 5,592 girls and boys have participated in the pedagogical meetings held in different places in Bogotá and 50 public schools, kindergartens, public kitchens, among other institutions, have received workshops with a gender-based approach.
The right of girls in the city
To continue to advance in the task of working to transform the situations that affect the rights of girls in the city, the Regional Secretariat for Women highlights October 11 as an emblematic date to make visible the problems and violence faced by girls and adolescents of Bogotá , as well as to strengthen their struggles and resistance.
Next, we share with you the important document of the Women’s Secretariat, which explains the importance of not only celebrating the International Day of the Girl, but also shows the work of the organization to protect the rights and prevent violence against girls in Bogotá:
For this reason, with the activities planned to mark this day, the aim is to draw attention to the right to the city, which according to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda [parágrafo 11]- raises:
“Equality in the use and enjoyment of cities and towns and seeking to promote inclusion and ensure that residents, both present and future generations, without discrimination of any kind, can create cities and towns that are just, safe, healthy, affordable, accessible, durable and sustainable and populate them to promote prosperity and quality of life for all”.
Since then, last Sunday, October 9, a bicycle tour was carried out with the girls, since this means of transport is – historically – an instrument of social transformation and emancipation for women of all ages, allowing them to occupy public space, move autonomously and feel free.
Mobility has a specific impact on each gender, influencing the way men and women move around the city and also how public space is occupied, highlighting the social construction of the body, which becomes a dimension of mobility.
Gender influences mobility, mobility patterns differ by gender, therefore active mobility contributes to the achievement of equity and social inclusion goals and contributes to women’s empowerment, and especially girls.
The bicycle is saved as an important element for this celebration, because for girls it is a basic transport that is within their reach, reduces traffic, energy consumption, which leaves a positive effect on the environment and is also a means of recreation, pleasure and one of the most practical and economical ways to improve fitness and health.
