“There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a third power stronger than both, that of women.”- Malala Yousafzai
We’re all about a holiday that represents girls and women across the globe to honor them in one way or another. Today is International Day of the Girl. This day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face while promoting empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights”. The theme this year is “My Voice, Our Equal Future” represents an opportunity to reimagine a world shaped by the voice, vision, and solutions of girls to drive progress towards a gender-equal world.
Here’s a picture of what an equal future could look like:
Families no longer preferring sons over daughters and putting an end to sex-selective abortion and female infanticide
Saving 140 million girls
Every girl, in every corner of this earth having access to an education
Investing in 130 million girls
Child marriage no longer being remotely possible
Preserving the childhood of 12 million girls per year
Every girl living free and fearless from violence like female genital mutilation and forced sex
Fulfilling the human rights of every living girl
A world that champions girls to be the world-changers they were created to be.
Producing a generation of young leaders shifting history
In 2020, the global pandemic has aggravated the already daunting challenges girls and young women face every day. And yet, girls are at the forefront of movements for change, boldly demanding actions to protect and strengthen future generations. Hackergal is on a mission to empower girls to use their voices, inspire others, and tell their stories through the power of technology and code. Over the past five years, Hackergal’s programs have exposed over 20,000 girls across Canada to computer science and the opportunities in code. We continue to reach more girls through our mission, providing opportunities for girls to be educated and engaged with technology. This is how we are striving for our equal future.
In celebration of International Day of the Girl, we’re urging you to use your voice and get involved by supporting organizations that empower girls and women across the globe. If your money and free time is too sparse right now, no worries! Social media reaches a ton of people and it takes zero dollars and little time to post this (or any) article sharing this special day. Incorporate the conversation into your real-life interactions too, by advocating for girls with your friends, family, and colleagues.
To learn more about how you can support Hackergal’s mission, click here.