There are “multiple barriers” including “systemic discrimination” bias and lack of training, which are keeping the largest generation of girls in human history from reaching their full potential, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a statement on Thursday, marking International Day of the Girl Child.
Noting that “far too often, girls are not given the space and opportunities they need to achieve their full potential,” he said that today, 600 million adolescent girls are preparing to enter a workforce, “transformed by innovation and automation”, in which female college graduates and workers are outnumbered.
Women make up less than 30 percent of graduates in information and technology and occupy less than 30 percent of research and development jobs globally.
“Negative gender stereotypes related to girls’ education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics begin as early as primary school, and have the devastating effect of making them doubt their own potential.”
He underscored the importance of equipping youth with skills transferable for lifelong success, noting that abilities such as critical thinking, creativity, and digital awareness will shine through in a changing workforce.
Highlighting the value of a support system, he said that having role models in fields where the presence of women is sparse, is key, and referenced the recent launch of Youth2030 in September 2018, a strategy aimed at understanding youth needs, and supporting them in materializing their ideas.
The Secretary-General added, “let us recommit to supporting every girl to develop her skills, enter the workforce on equal terms and reach her full potential.”
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The Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Natalia Kanem, said to mark the day, that too many girls face roadblocks on their journey to adulthood.
“Child marriage and adolescent pregnancy force millions of girls to drop out of school. Harmful laws and social norms curtail girls’ knowledge of and autonomy over their own bodies,” she said, adding that “entrenched gender discrimination can lay the foundation for a lifetime of missed opportunities.”
She that to allow girls to compete fairly, “countries need to ensure each young person entering the labour market has the skills and knowledge needed to help businesses thrive and nations prosper. That means investing now in a skilled girl force that can become a new force for innovation and leadership.”
She said millions of adolescent girls were “waiting to claim their power and fulfil their potential. Let’s help them exercise their rights and realize their aspirations. Let’s invest in their health and education, their skills and their leadership, and then let’s get out of their way and let them lead!”
Celebrate ‘strength and potential’ of 1.1 billion girls: UN Women chief
The Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, added that during this critical time for girls, men and women alike must “listen hard and speak louder,” when it comes to protection girls and championing their rights.
“We see over and over again how hard it is as an individual to raise your voice in defence of rights,” she said, “and how easily authority figures can discount, trivialize or silence it.”
She underscored the importance of solidarity in resisting and countering silence in the face of sexual abuse, recounting the marches of protest and online movements such as #MeeToo, which that have thrown the spotlight on inequality in recent months.
“We celebrate the strength and the potential of the 1.1 billion girls in today’s world who are challenging the status quo, raising their voices against violence, innovating technology to solve global challenges, standing up for the environment, and preparing to lead”, said the head of the UN’s gender-equality agency.
You can check out UN Women’s special page to mark the day, here.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, said that “girls’ education must be one of our priorities, because to a great extent the peace and prosperity of our world depend upon it.”
“A collective consciousness is rising to ensure that the right to quality education for all girls becomes a reality”, she added.
Lila Montgomery is a celebrated journalist who has a deep commitment to global affairs and humanitarian issues. Her extensive reporting on United Nations initiatives across the globe has brought critical stories to the forefront, stories that affect communities everywhere.
Do you think enough is being done to address the systemic discrimination and bias that are hindering the potential of over 600 million adolescent girls?
There is still much work to be done in addressing the systemic discrimination and bias that are holding back the potential of over 600 million adolescent girls. It requires a collective effort to break down these barriers and provide equal opportunities for all young women to thrive and succeed.
As Ava, I believe that it’s crucial to break down the barriers that are holding back over 600 million teenage girls from realizing their full potential. Let’s empower them with the necessary tools and opportunities to thrive in a world that is constantly evolving. Together, we can make a difference and pave the way for a more inclusive and equal future for all young girls.
As a female in the tech industry, I strongly believe in the importance of breaking down the barriers that prevent teenage girls from achieving their full potential. It’s time to empower and support these young girls so they can confidently enter the workforce and contribute to a more diverse and innovative society.
Wondering how we can effectively break down the barriers and biases that prevent teenage girls from fulfilling their potential. Any practical solutions being considered?
Empowering teenage girls starts with comprehensive education reform, including updated curricula to promote gender equality and providing mentorship programs to boost confidence and skills. Additionally, implementing policies that enforce equal opportunity and support for girls in STEM fields is crucial for creating a level playing field. Together, through a combination of education, mentorship, and policy changes, we can pave the way for teenage girls to excel and fulfill their boundless potential!
As a woman working in the tech industry, I strongly believe that we must break down these barriers preventing teenage girls from pursuing STEM fields. It’s crucial to provide them with the support and resources necessary to fulfill their potential and contribute to a more diverse and innovative workforce.
As a female professional in the tech industry, I believe it’s crucial to address the systemic discrimination and bias that hinder teenage girls from realizing their full potential. We need to provide them with the support and opportunities they deserve to excel in fields like STEM and innovation. Let’s unite to empower the next generation of female leaders!
How can we break down these barriers and provide more opportunities for teenage girls to excel in STEM fields and beyond?
To break down these barriers and provide more opportunities for teenage girls to excel in STEM fields and beyond, we need to invest in comprehensive education reforms, ensure equal access to resources and mentorship programs, and challenge gender stereotypes from an early age. Empowering girls with the confidence and skills they need will not only benefit them individually but also contribute to a more diverse and innovative workforce for the future. Let’s work together to support and uplift the next generation of female leaders!
As a woman in the tech industry, I fully support initiatives to empower teenage girls to break through barriers and achieve their potential. It’s crucial to address the systemic discrimination and bias that hold them back and provide them with the necessary training opportunities. Let’s rally together to ensure a future where all girls can kick butt and thrive!
It’s crucial that we break down the barriers holding back teenage girls worldwide. Let’s empower them with the skills and opportunities they deserve to reach their full potential and contribute to a more inclusive and innovative future!
As a female college graduate, I wholeheartedly agree with the UN Secretary-General’s statement. It’s crucial that we break down the systemic barriers holding back adolescent girls from fulfilling their potential. Empowering young women with the skills and opportunities they deserve will not only benefit them but also society as a whole. Let’s unite to support and uplift the next generation of female leaders!