Let’s celebrate girls!
The United Nations has officially declared October 11, 2012 as the world’s first International Day of the Girl Child.
The theme of this year’s IDG is ending ‘child’ marriage.
Over 30% of girls in developing countries are married before 18 years of age; around 14% are married before the age of 15. Early marriage is a risk factor for early pregnancy and poor reproductive health outcomes. Furthermore it perpetuates the cycle of under-education and poverty.³
Facts
Around the World ¹
- Around the globe, girls are three times more likely to be malnourished than boys.
- Of the world’s 130 million out-of-school youth, 70% are girls.
- Each year roughly two million girls between the ages of 5 and 15 are trafficked, sold or coerced into the sex trade.
- Girls are disproportionately affected by a number of harmful practices, including early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
- Girls continue to face obstacles…
View original post 302 more words
nomad, interrupted 