This year as we commemorate the 2nd International Day of the Girl Child on 11th October 2013, we let girls in sport speak for themselves and for fellow girls about their lives and the future they want. Because the girl is a force for change and has a right to shape her life, she speaks for herself.
We advocate with girls by supporting them to convene their forums and we continual to connect them with leaders in civil society, business, government and the general public to hear their views.
The theme this year is ‘Innovating for Girls Education‘, we implement the Goal program, in schools, to empowers girls to change their lives and their communities by providing an innovative approach to sport based leadership development that covers critical issues of gender, economic empowerment, health and rights.
As global leaders frame the priorities for Post 2015, we urge them to include views of girls in the planning processes.
On the Day of the Girl, we’ll facilitate a Forum that brings together 20 girls in sport to deliberate on key issues affecting them. We support the priority areas outlined in the Girl Declaration coordinated by our friends at the Girl Effect and we will be discussing these with our Girl Sport leaders next week and look forward to their views.
Proposed Goals for Post 2015
1. EDUCATION: Girls reach adulthood with relevant skills and knowledge to participate in economic, social and cultural life.
2. HEALTH: Girls have access to appropriate health services and possess the confidence to make healthy transitions to adulthood.
3. SAFETY: Girls are free from violence and exploitation and are supported by enforced laws, child protection systems and their communities.
4. ECONOMIC SECURITY: Girls can build and protect their economic assets and earn a safe income. Governments, communities and the private sector uphold girls’ economic rights.
5. CITIZENSHIP: Girls have equal access to services, opportunities, legal rights and personal freedom, and are able to fully participate as citizens of their communities.
Check out an example of true girls’ leadership from our partner Women Win: ‘Pallavi Gaikwad, a netball coach and youth leader from Naz Foundation in India delivered Women Win’s ‘Pitch for Partnerships’ speech on the Clinton Global Initiative main stage. She was not wearing a black suit or a white necktie. She did, however, share the stage with the likes of President Barack Obama, Melinda Gates and Bono.’ WomenWin