In Brussels a group of committed MEPs organised “Girls’ Week” to help gain support for the initiative from their peers. The week included a range of activities in and around the European Parliament to draw attention to the challenges and injustices that girls face in the developing world, and the value that protecting them can have. The central feature of the week was a written declaration in support of the International Day of the Girl, which was signed by 404 MEPs. This constitutes an overwhelming majority and a great success for all the organisers of the week. The organising MEPs largely came from EPF’s APPG in the European Parliament (EPWG), and were supported by EPF with its highly valued partners Plan EU and WAGGGs. Another of the week’s events was an EPP parliamentary hearing on “Girls in Migration,” organised by Hon. Véronique Mathieu, MEP.
The International Day of the Girl is a major gain for the SRHR community, and will now stand alongside other major international days, such as World AIDS Day (1 December) and International Women’s Day (8 March), as a moment where advocates for the rights of girls can draw the world’s attention to their vital cause. EPF looks forward to setting the ball rolling at the first International Day of the Girl next October!
|
