WDN Commemorates International Day of the Girl Child
October 11, 2024 – Harare, Zimbabwe, Women’s Democracy Network (WDN) Zimbabwe, a national network of women leaders and gender champions promoting women’s leadership development and gender responsive policy making joins the global community in commemorating the International Day of the Girl Child under the theme ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future’. WDN-ZW reaffirms its commitment to promote girls’ empowerment and leadership as a catalysis for sustainable development and equitable future for all.
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES AND REALIZING ASPIRATIONS
WDN Zimbabwe believes that girls and young women are the change makers of tomorrow. Our programs focus on promoting women’s participation in leadership including governance processes, leadership development and gender-responsive policy making. We recognize the unique challenges girls face in Zimbabwe, including violence, discrimination, limited access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities.
We commit to continued work to partner with state and non-state actors to:
BREAK BARRIERS THROUGH:
- Challenging societal norms and stereotypes that limit girls’ aspirations and rights realization
- Providing technical support to policy makers to eliminate discriminatory laws and policies that restrict girls’ access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities.
- Addressing systemic inequalities which promotes an environment that discriminates and exploit girls.
- Girls with impunity.
- Promoting sustainable resourcing for safeguarding mechanisms for girls to express themselves, access protection and support services from all forms of violence
UNLOCKING GIRL POWER.
- Strengthening partnerships for girls to be equipped with knowledge, skills, tools and support to assert and enjoy their rights.
- Contribute to initiatives for girls’ leadership development skills and support
- Support gender champions fostering innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.
- Advocate for girls’ access to access to technology, digital literacy and online safety.
We urge the Government of Zimbabwe, stakeholders and communities to;
- Promote inclusive education by
- Increasing access to quality education for girls in rural and marginalized areas.
- Addressing the needs of girls with disabilities through accessible infrastructure and specialized support.
- Integrating comprehensive sexuality education and reproductive health information.
- Strengthen laws and policies to ensure
- Implementation of laws and policies that promotes the rights of children as obliged by the constitution of Zimbabwe, regional and international instrument that Zimbabwe is part to including The Convention on the Rights of the Child and AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF …
- Ensure an enabling environment for girls to participate in development processes through
- facilitating access to information and platforms for participation in family, community and national development processes and structures
- facilitating Mentorship initiatives linking girls with female leaders and role models.
- implement Leadership development programs including focusing on gender responsive policy making, civic engagement and activism.
Key Statistics:
Zimbabwe:
- 1 in 3 girls marries before age 18 (UNICEF, 2020)
- 12% of girls with disabilities attend school (ZimStat, 2019)
Global:
- 132 million girls out of school worldwide (UNESCO, 2020)
- 1 in 5 girls experiences sexual violence before age 18 (UNICEF, 2020)
WDN-ZW urges individuals, families, communities, organizations and governments to;
- Support policy reforms advancing girls’ rights.
- Invest in programs promoting inclusive education, economic empowerment and leadership development.
- Amplify girls’ voices and stories through media and advocacy.
Together, we can create a brighter future for Zimbabwe’s girls and women and contribute to a more equitable world.
For more information contact: Email: wdnzimbabwe@gmail.com