October 11 marks International Day of the Girl (IDG), a global holiday dedicated to celebrating girls, amplifying their voices, and advocating for their rights. This year, the IDG theme is Girls’ Vision for the Future. The theme was chosen after findings from a UNICEF analysis showed that girls are courageous amid challenges and remain hopeful for the future.
However, sustainable change requires participation and action from others committed to building a world that respects and supports girls. The Days for Girls’ collective of Social Enterprises is committed to realizing this future for girls in their respective communities worldwide.
DfG Social Enterprises are locally-based businesses that produce and distribute DfG Kits, and provide MH knowledge, tools, and resources for people in their communities. Through localized action, Social Enterprises create sustainable, long-lasting change right where they live.
Now, DfG Social Enterprises are delighted to share how girls have a special impact on their work and how their enterprises are paving the way for girls’ futures.
DfG Social Enterprise leaders share experiences of a girl receiving a DfG Kit or MH education:
“A girl in Agato told me that using DFG products had brought her emotional stability and self-confidence. Being able to have her menstrual period comfortably and discreetly gave her the opportunity to ‘not waste days.’ This meant a lot to me, because for her, the menstrual cycle limited her in her development within the community, and we helped her understand this and live in a new and healthy way.” – DfG Ecuador; Vilcabamba, Ecuador
“I remember the excitement of a girl when she told me how she could now run, skip, and jump even when having her period!” – Shine DfG; Mbale, Uganda
“A young girl shared how her material and period poverty has been affecting her education. She was on the brink of dropping out of school, but my team member encouraged her to not give up. She listened and held on to school. She not only passed exams but got selected for high school. I advocated for her tuition, and an organization gave her a scholarship and will pay her tuition until she completes high school.” – Zayane Creations Trust; Lilongwe, Malawi
DfG Social Enterprise Leaders on how their enterprises support girls’ rights:
“Our enterprise works to support girls' rights by producing and distributing over 2,500 Kits and training more than 1,500 girls across schools in rural villages. We educate them about menstruation, understanding their bodies, and their rights and focus on improving their self-esteem and confidence. By taking these actions, we can ensure that girls have the support they need to continue their education, pursue their dreams, and live healthy, empowered lives.” – Phtas Prey Pursat Enterprise; Cambodia
“We give talks to girls and make them aware of their rights. We teach that each of them has a voice and a vote, and that girls have the right to make their decisions for a better future.” – DfG San José Poaquil; San José Poaquil, Guatemala
“By providing MHH washable products and MHH education. We equip them with knowledge about their rights and empower them to become trainer of trainers for their peers.” – Zayane Creations Trust; Lilongwe, Malawi
“We provide a practical, economical, and healthy solution for the menstrual periods, and we educate on the subject in order to solve fundamental things about the development of girls.” – DfG Ecuador; Vilcabamba, Ecuador
DfG Social Enterprise Leaders on the future of girls’ menstrual health and education:
“It must be a priority because girls are more exposed to health risks from inadequate resources. They are sidelined a lot because of perceived inferiority, so we need to do more to advocate for girls’ menstrual health.” – JEA Dakouépleu; Dakouépleu, Ivory Coast
“Access to menstrual products, education, and WASH facilities can be the difference between girls dropping out of school, or staying in school and being comfortable throughout the whole month. That is how important it is.” –Espoir Goma DfG; Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
“We envision a future where girls have access to DfG Kits and education, boys and families understand menstruation and support girls, and there will be no discrimination or shame around periods. With these changes, girls will feel confident, empowered, and free to reach their full potential.” – Phtas Prey Pursat Enterprise; Cambodia
“In the coming decade, we envision a future where girls will already have access to the real information needed to thrive and manage their menstruation.” – DfG Butembo Project; Butembo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
DfG Social Enterprise Leaders on how International Day of the Girl is celebrated in their community:
“Through organizing outreach functions and bringing the girls together, creating awareness on some ofthe challenges they experience and looking for possible solutions for the challenges addressed.” – Amazing Grace; Nairobi, Kenya
“It is all about performance arts. Showcasing achievements, writing, poetry recitals, and dancing, and making commitments to supporting the girl child.” – Teams4U; Kumi, Uganda
“We invite different stakeholders and members of the community to attend and celebrate. This includes traditional leaders, government officials, and traditional dancing groups.” – CCAP Zambia Enterprise; Lundazi, Zambia
“We celebrate with events of different kinds, like drama, poetry, distribution of Kits, MHH education sessions, and participating in radio and television programs around MHH.” – Zayane Creations Trust; Lilongwe, Malawi
“In our community, International Day of the Girl is celebrated by raising awareness about the challenges girls face and the importance of empowering them. We hold events, distribute Kits, provide trainings, and involve families to promote understanding and support for girls.” – Phtas Prey Pursat Enterprise; Cambodia
International Day of the Girl 2024
Days for Girls invites everyone to join in the global celebration of International Day of the Girl on October 11th. We encourage you to reflect on ways you and your community, school, or workplace can help promote and advance girls’ rights, including menstrual health. As the work and stories of DfG’s Social Enterprises demonstrate, together we can build a better world for girls and realize Girls’ Vision for the Future.
For additional information about International Day of the Girl 2024, click here.
To learn more about DfG’s global network of Social Enterprises, click here.
The post Celebrating International Day of the Girl: How DfG Social Enterprises are Building Girls’ Vision for the Future appeared first on Days for Girls International.