The girl child is particularly impacted by global violence. Although several international legal frameworks have been established over the years to safeguard girls, thousands of horrific acts of abuse and neglect target girls daily. Girls who have just passed puberty have been pushed into marriage for generations, sometimes with men who are several years older than them as they are unable to formally consent to such a partnership.

They have endured ceremonies of female genital mutilation. They are bought, sold, and trafficked as commodities across international borders to be used as prostitutes, or slaves, or to be sold again for a profit. Since prenatal sex selection and abortion based on sex have become more common thanks to technology and easier access to medical care, many girls are even harmed before birth. In the workplace and schools, girls are still at risk of sexual harassment and abuse. Their lives may be sacrificed for the “honour” of their family for speaking to strangers or for other minor offences. In times of conflict and humanitarian crisis, violence against girls has evolved into a potent and all-too-common strategy.

Every part of the world experiences violence against girls, which is used at every social and economic level and is to various degrees condoned by every type of government, major religion, and community or familial structure. There is no location where girls can find total safety; instead, only better legal systems and more effective non-governmental help are promised.

Some of the most prevalent forms of violence against girl children are forced marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, prenatal sex selection, sexual harassment in Schools and the Workplace, Sexual Exploitation, Prostitution, and Trafficking. 

The United Nations has taken efforts to empower girls and amplify their voices by increasing awareness of gender inequality faced by girls around the world. In 2022, the world commemorates the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl Child under the theme “Our time is now—our rights, our future” supporting the leadership of adolescent girls in an era when girls worry about almost everything reimagines a better tomorrow for the children to believe in their leadership and potential and a better world inspired by female role models. 

The day which falls on the 11th of October centres around raising awareness on the issues that ‘adolescent girls’ face along with what is likely to happen when those problems are solved and the importance of nurturing girls globally to ensure that girls all around the world are empowered. Girls around the world continue to face unparalleled challenges to the protections needed for life without discrimination and violence and this day amplifies the spoken and unspoken voices of girls demanding a world free of violation and discrimination based on gender.

Unfortunately, violence against girls who one day will become women is unnoticed by society and more often, girls are blamed for the violence experienced in the world and particularly in developing countries.

Violence can occur in the family, general community, by state officials and also during armed conflicts. Violence against a girl child can take many forms from slapping a girl, and touching her inappropriately without her concern to being threatened with injury and death. It can lead to serious physical, mental, financial and health-related problems for the victims as well as their families. Although there is an increase in awareness regarding such violence, the COVID-19 Pandemic and its economic impacts had worsened the existing violence against women by increasing the exposure of women to abusive patterns. 

There are several myths and misconceptions surrounding violence against women and girl child. However, research has shown the root causes of violence against women, they include gender inequality which is an unequal distribution of power and resources between men and women, adhering too rigidly defined gender roles and identities and the current attitudes of supporting and tolerating violence. 

The attitude of respecting women in society can prevent violence against women and girl child to a certain extent by promoting gender equality and eliminating the attitude of justifying violence. Women’s empowerment can be highly achieved through Education. Every girl should have the access to education. It is a basic right of every girl to pursue education which is considered a curse by society. Such an attitude towards education in society must not prevail instead society must consider education much more important to girls.

Individual change gradually leads to a drastic change in society. Therefore it is our duty to change our society’s attitude towards educating women, respect them and let them fly instead of clipping their wings. Her rights are inalienable – no one has the authority to take them away. We as individuals must ensure that no woman is facing any form of violence, it is our duty to protect them.

The Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura initially launched the project Someone’s Daughter to END violence against women and girl children. We, as Rotaractors, take part in this magnificent project to empower, encourage, educate, respect and appreciate women as well as girl children, leaving none behind, while protecting every single child we meet.

Young children should be heard and allowed to advocate for themselves. Stand up for Girls; see the change in the face of politics and the world!

Written by: Rtr. Hawwa Ahamed

Graphic design by: Rtr. Akila Srikantha