Skip to Main Content
Women of the ELCA
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
  • Ministry & Action
    • Discipleship
    • Justice
      • Human Trafficking
      • Racial Justice Advocacy
      • Racial Justice Advocacy Network resources
      • Domestic Violence
    • Membership
    • Stewardship
      • Thankofferings
      • Faithful Friends
      • Katie’s Fund
      • Gift Planning
    • Special Initiatives
      • Raising Up Healthy Women & Girls
      • Dear Friend in Christ
    • Scholarships
      • Lutheran laywomen
      • Lutheran Ordained Ministry
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Events
  • About
    • History
    • Executive Board
    • Staff
    • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
« Back to WELCA Blog

What a day!
by Valora Starr

10.9.2014
|
Post

blogpostgirls“Empowerment of and investment in girls are key in breaking the cycle of discrimination and violence and in promoting and protecting the full and effective enjoyment of their human rights.”  —  United Nations Resolution 66/170

Did you know that Saturday, October 11, 2014 will mark the third observance of International Day of the Girl Child? The United Nations declared the day to raise awareness about the many gender inequalities facing girls globally.

The goals of the observance—

  • girls’ education to be prioritized by world leaders
  • girls’ completion of a quality secondary education to be a major focus of international action
  • funding for girls education to be increased
  • an end to child marriage
  • an end to gender-based violence in and around schools
  • girls and boys to participate in decision making and inspire those with power to take action.

These goals are best approached through a local context. For example, child marriage is not an issue in the United States but there are still inequalities in the messages that girls receive through play, toys, marketing and media that boys rarely hear about marriage.

But there is no stretch in engaging this year’s theme Empowering adolescent girls: Ending the cycle of violence. American girls are engulfed in a culture of violence against women and girls, and it is a part of the fabric expressed in entertainment—movies, video games, music and the fashion industry–that sexualizes the female gender, particularly the young.

So what can you do to observe on Saturday? Glad you asked. First, look at Saturday as the day to start your observance and here are a few things you can do.

  • Share this blog post on your Facebook page.
  • Wear a blue shirt on Saturday and every Monday in October to support the Stomp Out Bullying campaign and tell people why.
  • Take some girls to breakfast, lunch or spend the day listening to what they know, think and feel about violence. Talk about how they can make a difference.
  • Think about one action you can take towards ending the cycle of violence where you are.
  • And, make sure you share with the girls in your life how valuable they are and that you are a safe place for them.

Valora K Starr is director for discipleship.

 

Photo by worldstreetphotos.com. Used with permission.

Share

Categories

  • Post (1,161)
  • News (283)
    • Gathering 2021 (9)
    • Triennial Convention 2021 (6)
  • Devotions (57)
Women of the ELCA
6 Mar
Women of the ELCA
@WomenoftheELCA

What does a steward actually do, anyway? A #steward is someone who takes care of something people care about with an eye to the future. #Farmers know that. That’s how they take care of their land. Read our monthly #devotion: womenoftheelca.org/blog/devot… pic.twitter.com/Cm7lzdY9sa

Expand reply reply retweet retweet favorite favorite
Back to home

8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

Stay In Touch

Sign up for the WELCA Newsletter

Explore WELCA
  • Ministry & Action
  • Daily Grace
  • Resource Library
  • Events
  • Blog
  • News
  • About WELCA
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Photos
Explore Publications

Bold Cafe

A Lutheran perspective for women of Christian faith or any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues facing women today.

Gather Magazine

A mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith.

Cafe Podcast

Subscribe to our podcast:

Click to subscribe

© Copyright 2021 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Copyright 2021 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.