On October 11, 2024, the International Day of the Girl was observed, focusing on the theme 'The Vision of Girls for the Future.' Despite equal rights for all children, girls continue to face significant discrimination and violence, impacting their access to education.
According to UNICEF, approximately 2.4 billion children and adolescents under 18 exist globally, with an estimated 70 million girls born each year. While the average life expectancy for girls is 75 years, those born in poorer countries may live 20 years less than their counterparts in industrialized nations.
Discrimination against girls often begins before birth, with some parents opting for abortions based solely on gender. Cultural taboos surrounding menstruation can also prevent girls from attending school during their periods. Furthermore, over 370 million girls and women worldwide have experienced sexual violence before the age of 18.
Girls are disproportionately burdened with household chores, performing twice as many tasks as boys between the ages of 10 and 14. Additionally, they face higher risks of health issues, including HIV, and are subjected to harmful practices such as genital mutilation and early marriages.
Education remains a critical challenge, with approximately 34 million girls of primary school age out of school in 2020, compared to 30 million boys. This educational gap is particularly pronounced in regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.
Despite these challenges, 80% of adolescent girls believe their lives will improve in the coming year. Educated girls tend to marry later, have fewer children, and enjoy better health, contributing positively to society. Each additional year of schooling for a girl can increase her income by 10 to 20%, and if all girls in developing countries completed secondary education, child mortality could be halved.