Nahla El-Zibawi

Nearly five years ago, in December 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared Oct. 11 the “International Day of the Girl Child.” This observance raises awareness for girls’ rights, the challenges they face daily and the importance of empowering them in order to reach their dreams.Moreover, since the launch of the Millennium Development Goals and their development through the years to reach the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, women have become a large part of the global targets. Emphasizing their importance globally, the U.N. celebrated this year’s International Day of the Girl Child under the theme “Girls’ progress = Goals’ progress: What counts for girls,” which shows the great effect that the girls have on the global community and its development.

Consequently, this year’s annual occasion came with the recognition that there are more than 1.1 billion girls in this world. Girls, who play a vital role in creating a better world, have the capabilities and power to grow and dream, yet are often kept down through violence and discrimination.

One of the main challenges that girls face daily in vulnerable areas is early marriage. Early forced marriage doesn’t only stop the progress of girls in schools, but also affects their progress in their community and the positive impact they can have if they were empowered, engaged and educated in the right way.

According to U.N. Women, a staggering one out of every three girls in developing countries, minus China, get married before they turn 18. The agency is trying hard to spread awareness on the dangers of early marriage and how they can be prohibited through laws.

Along with the occurrence of the International Day of the Girl Child and as part of raising awareness, a documentary entitled “Driving with Selvi” was screened in London and on U.S. television. The documentary, which was praised by human rights activists and took 11 years of preparation by Canadian filmmaker Elisa Paloschi, is based on a true story.

Paloschi tells the story of a 14-year-old Indian girl from a village in Karnataka. Selvi was married to an old, abusive man who also forced her to sleep with other men. At the age of 17 and after several escape attempts, she took the decision to flee on a bus to Odanadi.

Odanadi, a shelter, helps abused women overcome their circumstances and find their way to success through different business lessons and life-coaching sessions. Through their supportive system, Selvi reached her dream, earned a driver’s license and became the first woman taxi driver in Karnataka in 2004.

Selvi’s story shows that when you make efforts to educate and keep girls safe from insecure circumstances, the girls will make progress toward their dreams.

But in order to achieve that, the process should happen on the international and national level; thus include all society’s members.

Therefore, the role that the civil society plays in defending women’s human rights, from education and health to securing her from physical and psychological harm, is crucial. It is the right empowerment, engagement and education that helps anyone reach their goals whether they have lived in a peaceful or violent environment.