October 11 is International Girl's Day

October 11 is International Girl's Day.  The Save the Children NGO published a report on the occasion of this day, announcing that last year more than 22,000 child brides, equivalent to more than 60 people a day, lost their lives due to pregnancy.

 The report, entitled "Girls' Rights in Crisis," emphasizes that more than half of the victims are from West and Central Africa.  According to research data from this organization, 9600 child brides, ie 26 people a day per year, die in this area.  That number is four times higher than similar deaths in other parts of the world.
 After West and Central Africa, South Asia has the highest number of married girls.  In this area, 2,000 marriage-related deaths (6 per day) are recorded among girls every year.  East Asia and Oceania with 650 deaths per year (2 per day) and Latin America and the Caribbean with 560 deaths per year (nearly 2 per day) have the highest number of married girls.

 "Over the past 25 years, global efforts to prevent the marriage of more than 80 million children have slowed," said Save the Children report.  With schools closing, hospitals overflowing, and families falling below the poverty line, girls are increasingly being forced into marriage.  On the other hand, widespread closures, urbanization, and quarantine have dramatically increased violence against women and girls.  The International Agency estimates that 10 million girls are currently at risk of early marriage and life-threatening complications.
 Beyond the challenge of girls 'mortality due to the pressures of marriage, the report cites war, immigration, famine, climate change and Crohn's restrictions as other factors that threaten girls' rights and well-being.
 "Child marriage is one of the worst and most deadly forms of sexual and gender-based violence against girls," said Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children.  Every year, millions of girls are forced to marry men who are often much older than them.  "This fact deprives young brides of the opportunity to continue their education, have children and, in many cases, the right to life."

 I was 12 years old and my husband was 54 years old with four wives.  I wanted to study and I ran away.  I was arrested and sent home.  I ran away again.  This time I walked 40 kilometers to a bus stop, and from there I found myself in a center for the support of married girls, just like myself.  I am studying now and I want to become a nurse.  I always remind girls of the importance of continuing their education.

 Vivian (nickname)

 According to Ms. Ashing, "Childbirth is the number one killer of teenage girls in the world because their bodies are not ready to give birth.  The dangers of girls having children should not be overlooked.  "Governments have a duty to prioritize girls and ensure that they are protected from child marriage and deaths due to early pregnancies."

 Save the Children reports that even in countries such as Burkina Faso, where child marriage is illegal, "exceptions" abound.
 Vivian, now 23, was engaged to her future husband at birth and was forced to marry when she was just 12 years old.  "My husband was 54 years old and had four wives," she said.  I wanted to study and I ran away.  I was arrested and sent home.  I ran away again.  This time I walked 40 kilometers to a bus stop, and from there I found myself in a center for the support of married girls, just like myself.  I am studying now and I want to become a nurse.  "I always remind girls of the importance of continuing their education."
 At the end of its report, Save the Children called on governments to raise the voices of girls by calling for meaningful and secure participation in social life and decision-making, to warn of the dangers of sexual violence, especially child marriage, and to support  Put gender equality at the heart of their plans for post-coronary socio-economic revival.

It also calls for the protection of girls 'rights against all forms of discriminatory behavior (based on gender, race, disability and economic background) and calls on governments to allow humanitarian organizations to work fully and indefinitely to combat the abuse of girls' rights.
 Since 2012, the United Nations has designated October 11 as International Girl's Day to remind girls of the need to protect their rights.

 

_{Source & credit: Save the children NGO - AVC Father's heart}