The meeting was hosted by UN Economic and Social Council ECOSOC President Bob Rae.
He said, the importance of emphasizing the full equal rights of women and girls is an official commitment of the United Nations.
But it is also a personal commitment that we must all strive for.
Bob Ray urged the young guests to be powerful voices for change in the world. “You have to raise your voice. You have to take a stand.”
“You have to show interest wherever you go and challenge sexism and hate and discrimination.”
The theme of the day this year is “Girls’ Vision for the Future”, highlighting the importance of taking urgent action that is encouraged by the voices of girls around the world.
Some recent shocks
UN chief Antonio Guterres said in his message on this day that the potential of nearly 1.1 billion girls around the world is immense.
“But as we approach the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals, the world is failing to meet girls’ expectations.”
Today’s generation of girls is disproportionately affected by global crises such as climate, war and conflict, and poverty.
These crises put their lives, their choices and priorities as well as their futures at risk.
Additionally, progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 for gender equality is also at stake.
Education and child marriage
According to UN Women, about 119.3 million girls are out of school around the world, and about 39 percent of young women do not complete upper secondary education.
The United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization UNESCO released some statistics in early October showing that the loss caused by this gap in girls’ educational attainment could reach $10 trillion by 2030.
Meanwhile, child marriage also remains an important issue. Even if we start today to end child marriage, it may take 68 years to end it completely.
According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs – DESA, 4.7 million children will be born to women under the age of 18 in 2024. And out of this, about 340,000 children are born to mothers whose age is less than 15 years.
Girls Agency
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “Girls dream of a future where they can be happy. “What they need at this time is for their voices to be heard and their ambitions to be supported.”
The UN Commission on the Status of Women is scheduled to review progress in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in March 2025.
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted 30 years ago, is considered a very important agreement on gender equality.
The UN chief concluded, “The courage, hope and determination of girls is a force that deserves recognition. “It’s time the world stepped up and helped make their vision and aspirations a reality.”