DUSHANBE, October 12, 2013, Asia-Plus — Innovation is not only about technology – it can mean embracing new ways to overcome other barriers that keep girls out of school, like improving sanitary facilities and keeping girls safe as they walk to and from school, a joint press release issued by UNFPA, UN Women, UNICEF and WHO offices in Tajikistan noted.
Recognizing the need for fresh and creative perspectives to propel girls’ education forward, the 2013 International Day of the Girl Child involves UN agencies and partners in Tajikistan to come together and address the importance of new technology, as well as to talk about innovation in partnerships, policies, resource utilization, community mobilization, and most of all, the engagement of young people themselves.
Despite the decreasing number of girls out of school, too many around the world are still denied a quality education and a chance to reach their full potential. Evidence shows that even a single year of secondary school for a girl correlates with as much as a 25 per cent increase in her future earnings. But today, millions of girls are still out of school, including 31 million primary school aged girls.
“Simply getting girls to school is not enough. We must make sure girls stay in school, receive quality education and learn,” said Ms. Laylee Moshiri, UNICEF Representative in Tajikistan. “Girls’ education is the one consistent factor that can positively influence not only the lives of girls themselves, but practically every desired development outcome: from reducing child and maternal mortality, to ending poverty and achieving equitable growth, and changing social norms. The transformative potential of girls’ education has yet to be realized.”
UN Women in Tajikistan stresses that facilitating access to education for women and girls is vital to lift millions out of poverty and must be a priority for the Government and international organizations.
Dr. Pavel Ursu, WHO Representative in Tajikistan noted that “Ensuring comprehensive access of all girls to health education and youth friendly services, including reproductive health services as part of the universal health coverage agenda will contribute further to country development and wellbeing of the society.”
“Our efforts should be aimed at girls’ education, access to health, protection from discrimination, and participation in decision-making. Every girl has very rich inner life and personality; having a chance to flower into her full potential, every girl and every woman will contribute to a better future”, said Aziza Hamidova, UNFPA Assistant Representative.
The United Nations General Assembly’s Resolution 66/170 dated December 19, 2011 which declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. For its second observance, this year’s Day will focus on “Innovating for Girls’ Education”.
In Tajikistan, the International Girl Day will be held in the Sport Hall “Manezh”, on October 13 (Sunday), from 10:00 to 12:00 a.m.
The agenda of this event will consist of the following components: official opening ceremony; quizzes and contests for children organized by NGOs working for/with children during this event; interview/stories by young journalists with a focus on innovation for education (interview with parents, decision makers, girls etc.). Materials will be published through on-line, print and social media; and canvas (10×4 m) on which participants write answers to questions on education for girls and share their ideas on innovation for education.
