Supporting the Girl Child by Peculiar Medinus
October is a bittersweet month for me. It doubles as my birth month and the death month of my parents.
As their youngest daughter, one of the lingering
memories I hold about them is their protectiveness. I remember sulking at their
refusal to allow me to attend a high school boarding school. Now, I see it in a
different light. I believe some of you understand the pulsating heart of a
parent for a girl child.
In today's world, it is evident that parents,
particularly those with girl children, have their hearts pounding with worry
and concern due to the way societal norms sometimes demoralise and degrade
girls, forcing them to experience various forms of victimization. Nonetheless,
I believe that empathy for the girl child is not limited to parents; every
compassionate individual can relate to their plight.
The girl child becoming the endangered gender
has led to the creation of awareness about her needs and rights.
The United Nations established the International
Day of the Girl Child on October 11th, 2011 in recognition of the growing need
to promote girls' rights and wellbeing. This global observance not only raises
awareness about the unique struggles faced by the girl child but also strives
to highlight her potential and emphasise her undeniable rights in society.
As writers, we are bestowed with the power to
bring about positive change by disseminating knowledge and inspiring the
masses. We have the opportunity to tirelessly advocate against gender-based
violence, inequality in education, and lack of access to healthcare for the
girl child by enlightening our readers.
One great way to improve societal expectations
for girls is to showcase successful female role models in our writing. By
sharing their stories, we can inspire young girls to pursue their dreams with
confidence and determination. We can also encourage support from their families
and communities, which is vital for their overall development and success.
It is our duty to champion the cause and be the
voice for girls worldwide, irrespective of their race, religion, nationality,
or socio-economic background. As advocates, we must collectively work towards
breaking stereotypes and fostering a culture of equity and inclusivity. Let us
stand together and make a difference, one word at a time.
I totally agree with this post. When I was a youth worker, I fought to empower young girls. So many of them had very little self-worth. Much has changed in the last 20 years but as you say, as writers we need to all play our part. I wrote Invasion of the Mimics with a male protagonist but the sequel, Legacy of the Mimics has a much stronger protagonist who is female. We need to ensure a healthy balance.
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ReplyDeleteThanks Brendon! It's truly remarkable to see the positive impact that comes from promoting healthy mental frameworks and self-worth among young girls. I echo your sentiments as a youth worker who has witnessed the empowerment of these girls firsthand.
The creation of a powerful female protagonist in the sequel, "Legacy of the Mimics," is a commendable move. Having strong female protagonists in literature is essential for inspiring and empowering young girls. It not only reflects an inclusive society but also prompts thought on the need for a healthy balance between male and female protagonists.
Well done for your advocacy for empowering young girls in both your profession and through literature. We must keep striving for a healthy balance in literary representation, ensuring a future filled with empowered young girls who can view their own potential without limitations.
Very lovely post, Peculiar. We happen to share the fact of birthday month and losing parents in October! What a coincidence. I love your quote and if I were to modify it, it will be "... for females world wide...irespective of their age..." Thanks for reminding me that today is the international day of the girl child! A lot still has to be done in empowering the girl child or females as a whole. Thank God for our privilege as writers to make a difference with our words. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteSophia, it's truly amazing to discover these common threads between us! I'm thrilled to learn that you can resonate so deeply with my post. Thank you for pointing out the shared aspects of our lives, like our birthday month and the significance of October in terms of losing our parents. It's indeed an interesting coincidence!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your suggestion for modifying the quote to emphasize its message for females worldwide, irrespective of their age. This highlights the importance of empowering not just the girl child, but women as a whole. I agree that a tremendous amount of work remains in order to achieve this goal, but we are fortunate to possess the power of writing to help make a positive impact.
Let us celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child together, remembering both the progress that's been made and the ongoing efforts to elevate the status of women and girls throughout the world. As writers, we have the unique privilege of contributing to this essential cause with our words and stories. Your input and insights are invaluable in this pursuit, so thank you once again for engaging with my post and sharing your thoughts.
May we continue to use our voices to drive change, and may blessings abound in all our endeavors!
Amen!
DeleteI didn't know there was an International Day of the Girl Child. We have moved in the right direction in the UK in my lifetime, and for this I thank God.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Veronica, for your insightful comment! I join you in giving thanks to God for positive changes.
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