'We must all stand with all girls everywhere,' says UN deputy chief

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The UN on Friday marked the "International Day of the Girl Child," which was declared as a result of advocacy efforts from Türkiye, Canada and Peru, with an event held at its headquarters in New York.

The event titled "Girls' Vision for the Future" was organized by the working group on girls and sponsoring partners, including UN permanent missions of Canada, Türkiye, Peru, UNFPA, UNICEF, and UN Women.

After a dance performance by girls, hundreds of girls from around the world, both physically and virtually, engaged in consultations with UN officials and representatives of member states at the event.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed made opening remarks via recorded video, and said: "Women and girls are not waiting for change. They are the change. They are speaking out, stepping up and shaping a world where they are in control of their destinies."

Emphasizing the "immense barriers" that girls are subjected to, Mohammad said: "Many are subjected to early marriage, and many face teenage pregnancies."

"We must all stand with all girls everywhere. We must listen to them, amplify their voices, create spaces for meaningful participation, and invest in their education and health, not as a favor, but as a human right to sustainable development," she said.

Stressing that there could be no future without girls, she urged to "keep pushing boundaries, keep amplifying the voices of your sisters everywhere, especially those in conflict zones from Sudan to Ukraine to Gaza to Lebanon."

Türkiye's envoy to the UN Ahmet Yildiz began by highlighting the importance of girls and said, "our future depends on you."

Saying that "investing in girls is not only a matter of social justice but also a key driver of sustainable development and prosperity," Yildiz stated that "Türkiye has made significant strides in recent years to promote the rights of girls."

He said that Türkiye acknowledges the importance of education as a "powerful tool that transforms lives, empowering girls to become leaders in their communities."

Yildiz further noted that "it is essential that every girl feels safe and supported in her community, enabling her to thrive and contribute to society."

"Together, we can create a future where every girl is valued, empowered, and given the opportunity to shine," he said.