On the International Day of the Girl, United Nations officials, advocates, and young leaders gathered at a town hall event at UN Headquarters today (11 Oct), co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Canada, Peru, and Türkiye, the NGO Working Group on Girls, UNICEF, UN-Women, and UNFPA. This year’s theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” underscored both the urgency of addressing challenges facing girls and the resilience of their voices calling for change.
“During this time, we would also like to acknowledge that the land administratively designed as New York City, where the headquarters of the United Nations reside, is the homeland of the Lenape tribe,” said Elena, a young participant, highlighting the historical injustices faced by the Indigenous people. Elena added, “we recognize Lenape’s close connection and right to stewardship and the Lenape girls who continue to fight for their rights and the rights of their land.”
The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, emphasized the importance of girls’ leadership in driving societal change. The Deputy Secretary-General said, “on this International Day of the Girl, we come together to amplify girls’ voices and visions, celebrate their accomplishments, and commit to unlocking their potential.” Mohammed added, “women and girls are not waiting for change. They are the change. They are speaking out, stepping out, and shaping the world where they are in control of their destinies.”
Robert Keith Rae, President of the UN Economic and Social Council, urged the girls in attendance to continue advocating for themselves. “I am with you, and I am for you. And the important point to say is you also have to be for yourselves,” Rae remarked. He continued, “you have to take a stand. You have to challenge sexism and hatred and discrimination wherever and however you find it.”
The need for sustained…
