Joining the Fight Against Gender Inequality on International Day of the Girl

Today is the International Day of the Girl, which is an annual recognition of the pivotal role that girls play in our communities as well as the progress that needs to be made to reach a place of empowerment and support for girls across the globe. This year’s theme is “Digital Generation. Our Generation.” This particular theme was chosen to highlight the issues that have been brought to light through the pandemic.

While many people have retreated to learning and working digitally from home, more than 2.2 billion people below the age of 25 still do not have internet access at home, leaving them disconnected from opportunities to continue learning from a safe environment. Out of these young people, girls are disproportionately more likely to be cut off, with the gender gap for internet access increasing in the past decade from 11 percent to 17 percent.

At Participate Learning, we are proud to serve students as they develop into global citizens in our increasingly globalized and interconnected world. We believe that all young people should have access to resources that allow them to connect with new people, cultures, and ways of thinking to expand their opportunities and worldviews. On this International Day of the Girl, discover three ways that you can join the fight to end gender inequality and empower the girls in your life.

1. Understand and reflect on the facts.

When diving into the many different ways to address gender inequality worldwide, it is first important to gain a foundational understanding of some key statistics that highlight the current issues facing girls today. For youth ages fifteen to nineteen years old, nearly one in four girls is neither employed nor being educated or trained, compared to one in ten boys. In 2021, 435 million women and girls are living on less than $1.90 a day.

These numbers are just a couple of examples that give insight into a deeply rooted systemic issue that is currently plaguing girls internationally. Spend some time educating yourself with a variety of resources and then reflect with others through conversation. This blog post offers ways to discuss gender equity in the classroom by covering topics on bias, the gender spectrum, and intersectionality.

2. Highlight stories of current activists.

While the statistics behind gender inequality are undeniable, there are many girls who are overcoming obstacles to be the voices of a generation that is passionate about equity and transformation. Despite all of the odds, girls around the world are breaking boundaries and barriers through their change initiatives and are inspiring others to do the same. International Day of the Girl is also a time to celebrate the wins of young girls globally.

Share stories of girls’ rights activists like Malala Yousafzai or green initiative advocates like Greta Thunberg with your community to further amplify their messages and showcase the power that one voice can have on a global scale. These generational leaders are highlighting narratives around the values that are important to today’s girls worldwide and are shining examples for young girls today who have aspirations to change the world.

3. Seek out ways to uplift girls in your community.

The progress that monumental voices like Malala and Greta’s have made is inspirational, but it is important to remember that girls in every community are making impactful waves through change initiatives that are meaningful to them, too. Find out how the girls in your community are working toward a brighter future, and see if there are any ways you can get involved through donating time or resources or through promoting their efforts.

If you are in the education sphere, this blog post is a great resource for how you can celebrate and amplify the voices of the girls in your classroom. Girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life where they are able to pursue their dreams and discover their potential. By supporting them today, you are empowering tomorrow’s leaders in home, work, and community spaces.

At Participate Learning, we are proud to support students as they develop into global leaders who are leading the way to a more compassionate, connected, and empathetic world. For more information on how you can get involved, check out our webpage or contact us directly.