Georgetown: On 11 October 2013, in celebration of the Second International Day of the Girl, the Guyana Girl Guides Association (GGGA) join world efforts in putting their girls ‘in the lead’ in keeping with the worldwide theme for this activity developed by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and its partners. The Association urges all in a position to do so (local businesses; organisations and institutions) to participate in this worldwide campaign of "Putting Girls in the Lead" for all or part of this day.
Seven young Guiders, including Saudia Edghill, Guyana’s International Day of the Girl Ambassador, will spend the day working with local organizations and dealing with issues such as sexualisation and objectification of girls and women; violence at home or with a partner; unemployment and underemployment discrimination, education and lack of opportunities to be represented in decision making. Reports from these young women are expected to further assist in developing the GGGA in shaping its leadership training programmes.
This activity was inspired by the mission embodied in the United Nations Declaration on this matter, to “help galvanize worldwide enthusiasm for goals to better girls’ lives, providing an opportunity for them to show leadership and reach their full potential.” It is expected to allow the girls to improve their awareness on issues affecting girls and young women, speak out and lead in creating the world we want for girls.
Today, half of the world’s population is under 25, (over 3.5 billion people); about half are girls and young women. Girls and young women are particularly vulnerable as they face the double discrimination of both gender and age. Girls and young women are most important agents of change and have the right to grow up and live in an environment free of violence and discrimination, where good education and decent job prospects are not distant dreams.
