PGA Celebrates International Day of the Girl Child
Today, we commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child. As we reflect on this year's theme, Girls' Vision for the Future, let us commit to a future in which we give our girls a seat at the table, and provide them with access to education, healthcare and all of the resources they need to lead happy, healthy and productive lives.
On this #InternationalDayoftheGirlChild, we extend our solidarity to girls around the world and commit to defend and protect their rights.
Hon. Mariam Solaimankhil, MP (in exile from Afghanistan) and PGA Member
For this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, I am reminded of the Afghan girls who have been robbed of their right to dream. Under Taliban rule, they are denied education, barred from public spaces, and forbidden from even imagining a future where their voices are heard.
Girls who once dreamed of becoming doctors, teachers, or leaders are now confined to their homes, stripped of hope. Their vision for the future is shattered by a regime that seeks to erase them from society. But we must remember—despite the Taliban’s efforts to silence them, these girls are still resilient, still brave. The world must do more than commemorate this day; we must act to restore their right to dream and live freely.
Hon. Mariam Solaimankhil, MP (in exile from Afghanistan) and PGA Member
Dip. Margarita Stolbizer (Argentina), PGA Executive Board Member
Women's equal participation and leadership in political and public life is critical. To achieve this outcome, we must start by empowering girls. Data shows that women are underrepresented at all levels of decision-making around the world and that achieving gender parity in political life is a long way off. This is also the case in my country.
If we want a more prosperous future for all, as parliamentarians, we have a responsibility to change the current landscape and effectively address the systemic barriers faced by girls. If we want everyone to be able to reach their full potential, which will benefit the country at all levels, we must also ensure equal rights for girls.
Dip. Margarita Stolbizer (Argentina), PGA Executive Board Member
As parliamentarians, we need to approve gender-sensitive laws specific to the rights of girls. Education must be the priority for girls, who will be the vectors of existence for the future of our shared planet. Let us empower them!Dép. Emilie Béatrice Epaye (Central African Republic), Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and PGA MemberDép. Emilie Béatrice Epaye (Central African Republic)
Girls are the future leaders, innovators, and change makers in our world. They deserve our continued support and encouragement as they face the challenges of adolescence and young adulthood.Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay, MP (The Gambia), Leader of Government Business and PGA MemberHon. Abdoulie Ceesay, MP (The Gambia)
Let's educate the girl child to build the bright future of our global community. We should advocate for girl empowerment as a mechanism to achieve sustainable development. Any inaction on implementing policies that support deepening and strengthening gender equality and equity should be criticized and rejected. The time to empower the girls is now and we call upon the donor community to support initiatives that capacitate local and international institutions to reach out to and empower girls.Hon. Ephraim Kayembe, MP (Malawi) and PGA MemberHon. Ephraim Kayembe, MP (Malawi)
Today, we commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child. This is an opportunity to recognize that girls are disproportionately affected by different global crises of climate, conflict, poverty and violations of human rights. Investing in the education of girls is fundamental to their future and that of their country. Leaving no one behind is a transformative promise of the Sustainable Development Goals, which includes the girl child.Sen. Wade Mark (Trinidad and Tobago) and PGA MemberSen. Wade Mark (Trinidad and Tobago)
Hon. Fox Odoi, MP (Uganda)
Far too often, the girl child is confronted to violence, which restricts her ability to develop her full potential. In communities, the lack of education and insufficient access to public services like healthcare lead to poor economic outcomes. For African girls to become empowered change-makers, Members of Parliament should create at the very least the normative and policy frameworks that address barriers they face. We shall work together to ensure gender equality for a more prosperous and sustainable future.
As legislators, we must work tirelessly to advance gender equality in our countries through gender-sensitive legislation and policies that will address the root causes of inequalities affecting the girl child, and hold our governments accountable to national and international commitments.
Hon. Fox Odoi, MP (Uganda), Chair of the Human Rights Committee and PGA Member
