Ministry of Gender and Family celebrated International Day of the Girl Child with a special programme – “Girls Lead Initiative”, conducted from 5 to 11 October 2018.
The six-day programme, designed to promote the rights of the girl child and raise awareness on the challenges faced by girls within communities, included awareness sessions on developing leadership skills, girls’ health, physical and mental well-being and on the UN convention on the protection of the rights of women and girls. Participants were also provided the opportunity to be attached and work with remarkable female professionals in leadership positions at government, private sector and civil society organisations. In addition, activities were held to foster girls’ interest for non-traditional roles as well as to provide career guidance from women working in sectors where women are largely under represented.
Speaking at the closing ceremony held at the Ministry today, Minister of Gender and Family Ms Zenysha Shaheed Zaki noted that the aim of the programme is to motivate girls to achieve their goals and aspirations and encourage them to reach decision-making levels in various fields.
A total of 23 girls from schools and colleges, between the ages 16 to 18 participated in this programme, organised by the Ministry in collaboration with UNICEF Maldives. The programme was conducted with assistance from Kurumba Maldives, Society for Health Education (SHE), Ooredoo, Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) and Moodhu Bulhaa Dive Centre.
In addition to awarding participants with recognition certificates, a video report on the experience of participants was also shown at the ceremony.
The Ministry of Gender and Family has organized the “Girls Lead Initiative” programme during the previous two years as well.
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed on October 11 every year, following a United Nations General Assembly Resolution in 2011, with the aim of promoting the rights of girls and addressing the unique challenges faced by girls globally.
11 October 2018