Canada recently took part in celebrations marking the first
International Day of the Girl Child in New York and at the
United Nations Headquarters. Canada, along with Peru and Turkey,
led the resolution that called for the creation of an
“International Day of the Girl Child” that was adopted by the UN
General Assembly on 19 December 2011. Since then, many
organizations and countries have raised awareness and promoted
issues of concern to girls worldwide. To celebrate the adoption
of the resolution, Canada, Peru and Turkey, hosted a panel
discussion entitled “Ensuring Bright Futures.” The purpose of
the panel was to discuss issues that girls face, particularly
violence in and around schools, the role of education in helping
girls find their voice, and ways to advocate for better and
safer opportunities The panel filled the UN’s Dag Hammarskjöld
auditorium to capacity, and was attended by many ambassadors and
girl youth ambassadors. The clear highlight of the panel was a
speech given by Fabiola, a youth activis