European Week of Action for Girls
[Brussels, 11 October 2012] This week, 08-12 October 2012, is the European Week of Action for Girls. Throughout the week various events and activities, focusing on girls’ rights, have been organised to celebrate the first ever International Day of the Girl Child on 11 October 2012.
Girls face multiple challenges in realising their rights. They are more likely to be forced out of school, to be subject to violence and have their sexual rights controlled by others. They may be forced into marriage before they are ready, be subjected to harmful traditional, cultural or religious practices, or denied access to healthcare.
The European Week of Action for Girls calls on the European Union, and international community at large, to take decisive action to overcome these barriers, which prevent girls from achieving their potential.
During the week, organised by Plan EU Office under the patronage of the President of the European Parliament and in partnership with the United Nations Brussels, various events and activities took place in Brussels and online. Please find the agenda here and below.
MONDAY, 8 OCTOBER
Launch of the Girls’ Rights Gazette and youth poll on girls’ rights, aimed at gathering the views of young people in European and developing countries on the most pressing challenges faced by girls worldwide.
Opening of a photo exhibition "Too young to wed", featuring photography by Stephanie Sinclair.
TUESDAY, 9 OCTOBER
From 14.00 - Join #GenderJam, a Twitter event on girls’ rights, and share your views with other young people, policy-makers, media and civil society.
WEDNESDAY, 10 OCTOBER
14.00 - Opening of the Girls’ Rights Bus.
15.00 - Opening of a photo exhibition "A day in the life", looking at the challenges and opportunities of being a girl. Where: the Girls’ Rights Bus.
THURSDAY, 11 OCTOBER
9.30-10.00 - To celebrate the first ever International Day of the Girl Child, an official ceremony will be held on the Girls’ Rights Bus at Place du Luxembourg, Brussels.
10.00-11.30 - A policy roundtable on the barriers to girls’ education will be held at the European Parliament, ASP building, room A5e-3. The event will include the EU launch of Plan International’s Because I am a Girl global campaign and 2012 State of the World’s Girls Report, "Learning for Life".
FRIDAY, 12 OCTOBER
9.30-11.30 - Girls’ right to health, training for MEP assistants, political advisors and European Parliament staff. Where: European Parliament, ASP building, room A5e-3.
