Third annual event celebrates “what it means to be a girl”
On Thursday, Oct. 9, the University of Guelph hosted their third annual International Day of the Girl event. Grade 10 and 11 students from around the city attended the event to discuss and celebrate “what it means to be a girl,” focusing on the challenges that females, in Canada and around the world, will face throughout their lives.
Highlighting the event were guest speakers Christine Kitoko and Gabrielle Scrimshaw.
Kitoko, a former Miss AfriCanada Queen and current student of International Development studies, founded Hands for the Heart, a non-profit organization that aims to promote understanding and raise awareness of conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The organization works to eliminate poverty among the Congolese people and address sexual and gender-based issues in the community.
Established in 2012, the International Day of the Girl aims to increase knowledge and awareness of challenges faced by women and girls around the world. Photo Courtesy Simone D. McCourtie/World Bank via CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Scrimshaw, a member of the Hatchet Lake First Nation of Northern Saskatchewan, was recently named Indspire’s 2013 First Nations Youth Achiever – considered to be the highest honour bestowed by the Indigenous community. Scrimshaw, the first in her family to pursue post-secondary education, has a strong passion for leadership, creating social impact, and advocating for diversity.
The event also hosted several workshops, which focused on “cover girl” culture in mainstream media, feminism in the modern world, diversity, human rights, and leadership in a global community, and the role of body language in shaping your personhood.
The United Nations General Assembly declared October 11th the International Day of the Girl Child in 2012. The day is meant to raise awareness about issues concerning gender inequality across the globe – an annual opportunity for men and women alike to discuss discrimination, gender stereotypes, and opportunities for girls and women.
“Empowerment of and investment in girls are key in breaking the cycle of discrimination and violence and in promoting and protecting the full and effective enjoyment of their human rights,” reads United Nations Resolution 66/170. The overall mission is “to help galvanize worldwide enthusiasm for goals to better girls’ lives, providing an opportunity for them to show leadership and reach their full potential.”
…an annual opportunity for men and women alike to discuss discrimination.
This year, the movement was given a publicity boost when Malala Yousafzai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 10. Yousafzai, who at 17 is the youngest recipient of the prestigious award, is known for her human rights advocacy and activism for the right of all children to education, gender equality, and female rights.