The United Nations(UN)’s International Day of the Girl Child has been annually observed across the globe on October 11th to highlight the need to address the challenges faced by girls across the globe.
- The day also promotes the empowerment and fulfilment of the human rights of girl children.
- The day is celebrated by the UN Women along with other UN Agencies, civil societies and girls across the globe.
The International Day of the Girl Child 2021 is celebrated under the theme “Digital generation. Our generation”.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/66/170 on 19th December 2011 and proclaimed the 11th October of every year as the International Day of the Girl Child.
ii.The first ever International Day of the Girl Child was observed on 11th October 2012.
Key Points:
i.The global internet user gender gap has increased from 11% in 2013 to 17% in 2019 and it is at 46% in the world’s least developed countries.
ii.In over two-thirds of countries, females among Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduates are less than 15%.
iii.Nearly 1 in 4 girls aged 15–19 globally are not in education, employment or training, compared to 1 in 10 boys
iv.In the middle and high-income countries, only 14% of girls who were top performers in science or mathematics were expected to work in science and engineering compared to 26 per cent of top-performing boys.
