UNESCO organizes meeting on girls’ education as force for gender equality

10 / 10 / 2019

By Marwa Nassar - - -

UNESCO will hold a meeting on October 11 under the theme “Girls’ education: a force for gender equality and lasting change” on the International Day of the Girls. The get-together will be organized in tandem with Plan International and the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.

The gathering is meant to showcase how education is driving the creation of gender equal and inclusive societies. The event will feature good practices, perspectives and testimonials from invited guests, including young leaders who will demonstrate how girls’ education is a force for lasting change.

On the fringe of the meeting, the official award ceremony of the UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education will be held to recognize the work of two laureates advancing girls’ and women’s education.

The International Day of the Girl – celebrated every year on October 11 – is held this year under the theme of ” GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable .” The day provides an occasion to celebrate girls—who they are today and the women they will become tomorrow.

“We need to uphold the equal rights, voices and influence of girls in our families, communities and nations. Girls can be powerful agents of change, and nothing should keep them from participating fully in all areas of life,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said.

Since 2012, October 11 has been marked as the International Day of the Girl. The day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.