Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) has organized three full-day workshops to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC). The first two of these workshops were held on 24th September and 8th October, in which a total of 103 girls from grades 8 and 9 of Ahmadhiyya International School participated. The third workshop, also targeted for girls from Ahmadhiyya School, will be held on 15th October. 80 students are expected to participate in this workshop.
This programme is conducted in partnership with the British High Commission in Colombo, as part of ARC’s GRACE Campaign. GRACE Campaign helps Girls build Resilience, Aspirations, Capabilities and Empowerment. The objectives of the GRACE campaign closely match the UN development goals, with the campaign focusing on helping girls to assume their different roles through childhood and into adulthood. In addition to a session on the importance of higher education and girls’ empowerment, other topics covered in the workshop include: promoting health and nutrition, promoting social values and empowering children against abuse.
ARC takes this opportunity to thank the British High Commission for its continuous support and dedication to advancing the rights of girls and women in the Maldives.
The International Day of the Girl Child has been observed since 2012, with the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 66/170 on 19 December 2011 that declared 11th October as the IDGC. This year’s theme is, Girls’ Progress = Goals’ Progress: A Global Girl Data Movement.