Girls shaping tomorrow: Redefining equality and peace

This International Day of the Girl, I think about how far we've come—and how far we still need to go. It has been more than a decade (2011) since the world has been celebrating this special day for girls. As the Bangladeshi Country Director of Plan International Bangladesh, I am proud to be a part of the 30-year Journey and commitment to empowering girls across the country. We work across the country to ensure girls not only have access to education but also the gears they need to lead. Through our programs and advocacy work, we aim to amplify their voices and ensure they can shape their own futures.

As a young girl, the opportunities a girl see for herself are circumscribed by different norms. So many messages echo around a girl, creating a silence around what she could become. Growing up in a community where girls were expected to conform to predetermined roles, my journey was filled with numerous obstacles, yet each challenge only strengthened my resolve to rise above.

Today, millions of girls around the world, including in Bangladesh, continue to face the same challenges I encountered decades ago—gender inequality, limited access to education, and societal norms that stifle their potential. However, the resilience and courage of girls to break through these barriers inspire hope for a more equitable future. Despite progress, the situation remains dire—122 million girls are still out of school, according to UNESCO. This year's theme, Girls' Vision for the Future, encapsulates the urgency of action and the hope rooted in the power of girls' voices.

Despite the barriers around, I found the courage I needed to pursue my education and eventually, my career. But the reality for too many girls today remains the same as it was for me almost 4 decades ago—dreams deferred, voices silenced, potential unrealized. This day reminds us and millions of girls who are still told that their futures are not theirs to shape, and it's a reminder that we must continue to stand by them, fight for them, and help them break through these barriers.

The International Day of the Girl amplifies the voices of girls and supports their fight for rights. It's a day to bring opportunities, optimism, and proactive support to the forefront. Over the years, girls and women have made strides in breaking barriers, yet the journey toward full equality could take over a century unless we accelerate progress. The future depends on girls having the space to lead and thrive, free from the limitations imposed by gender inequality. Bangladesh has seen a significant drop in the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Gender Gap Index 2024, plummeting 40 spots to 99th place out of 146 countries.

Girls face persistent challenges from a young age—inequality in access to health services, limited educational opportunities, and the disproportionate impact of climate-related disasters and conflicts. Harmful traditions like child early forced marriage continue to rob them of their futures. These obstacles not only hold back individual girls but also limit the progress of families, communities, and economies globally.

Dreams for girls are often clouded by societal expectations and barriers. Education is more than just knowledge—it is a key to liberation and a just world. Unfortunately, for many girls, education remains out of reach. Barriers like child marriage and poverty strip girls of their childhood and their right to build a future. We must do more to ensure every girl can learn and grow in a safe environment. Bangladesh has witnessed numerous disasters in recent years including severe cyclone, flash flood and protracted humanitarian crises.

Due to these frequent interruptions, girls get more challenges in continuing their education. Every disaster tends to leave an impact on the continuity of education and leading the child early force marriage in different corners across the country. We also cannot forget that violence against girls and women is pervasive, both at private and public spaces. In humanitarian crises, girls are victim of child marriage for economical solution of the families. School closures during disasters exacerbate this, leading to unwanted pregnancies and other challenges that prevent girls from realizing their dreams.

In today's world, digital technology plays a critical role in education and empowerment, yet many girls have minimal access to it. This digital divide is stifling their progress. They are being left behind in a world increasingly dependent on virtual learning and technological skills. To ensure girls can continue to dream of a brighter future, we must bridge this gap.

Plan International Bangladesh, celebrates the International Day of the Girl by promoting girls' rights and raising awareness of their challenges. We focus on amplifying their voices and advocating for gender equality, representation, and leadership opportunities. Our goal is to ensure girls can lead and challenge harmful stereotypes, enabling them to influence their futures.

By investing in girls, we are investing in a better future for all. The challenges they face—poverty, child early forced marriage, and exclusion from digital opportunities—must be addressed through collective action. We must work together with government agencies, local communities, and the private sector to ensure violence against girls ends, their education remains uninterrupted, and they are equipped to lead in every sector.

Every girl deserves the opportunity to challenge those stereotypes and inspired me to persist. We must actively challenge cultural practices and societal expectations that limit girls' potential. Only by breaking down these barriers can we create a society where girls can thrive.

Today's girls are Tomorrow's Leaders. While individual resilience is powerful, real change requires collective action. Leaders have a responsibility to create pathways for girls to succeed by strengthening policies that protect them from violence and promoting gender-sensitive education. Young girls must have access to essential health services, including sexual and reproductive health education, to ensure they are empowered to make decisions about their own lives.

We have come a long way. Today, countless girls in Bangladesh and around the world are ready to break barriers. They are eager to learn, lead, and make a difference in their communities. On this International Day of the Girl, I urge everyone to invest in the potential of girls. This is a Vision to reshape and reimagine the girls' Future until we are all equal.

And to all girls: your time is now. Embrace your dreams, believe in your power, and never stop fighting for the future you deserve.

Let's see the world with eyes of girls, let's feel the negative impact of disaster and climate change the way girls experience, let's bring the solution for them the way they want to do and let's ensure every girls' voice counted. Let's make the girls' dream in reality.

Photo: Courtesy

Kabita Bose is the country director of Plan International Bangladesh. 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.