Landmarks across the world are being lit up bright pink today to celebrate the first ever UN International Day of the Girl Child.
The Day of the Girl Child seeks to bring global awareness to the often difficult plight of girls in developing countries, advocate for girls’ rights, and push for greater gender equality for voiceless girls the world over. This year’s theme is ending child marriage.
Plan International, the organization that lobbied the UN to establish the Day, will launch it’s Because I am a Girl campaign today. Check out Freida Pinto’s powerful video.
Events will be taking place in more than 60 countries across the world – from a rock concert in India to a radio blitz in Ireland. The Empire State Building, Egyptian pyramids, the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, London Eye and the Niagara Falls are among a number of landmarks that will be lit up bright pink to mark the occasion.
The celebrations will culminate in a global event in New York, which will be attended by UN Women executive director Michelle Bachelet, Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee, actress Marcia Cross, journalist Mariane Pearl and other international ministers and girl ambassadors from around the world, who will be sharing their experiences with policy makers.
Today is the day to spread the word about the power of investing in girls! Here’s how you can get involved:
- Plan International’s Because I Am a Girl campaign calls for a million raised hands in support of girls’ education.
- CARE has created a robust End Child Marriage campaign
- Catapult, the first crowdfunding platform for women and girls, will officially today
So I’m trapped in the car for 8 hours drvinig home so I thought FINALLY I have time to get through your blog. Wow so impressive! You are incredibly talented and have definitely found what you’re supposed to be doing. You not only have not only created all of these memories for my family but for all of these families even your own! I don’t know how you made my maternity pix turn out as beautiful as they did considering I was actually a sweaty mess, but a big thank you! I will always treasure the ones of me and Ava. And only we know that she got to eat ice cream for lunch that day for her cooperation. . Thanks for sending the other links too. I have to get my act together and get some of those put on canvas if I can get your help with that. I had forgotten how striking that they are. I just want to pinch Ava’s sweet cheeks. Thank you again for all that you’ve done for us!