11 October 2014: The International Day of the Girl Child 2014 was observed under the theme ‘Empowering Adolescent Girls: Ending the Cycle of Violence,’ which was selected in recognition of the importance of investing in and empowering girls during adolescence, and preventing and eliminating the violence they face. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement to mark the day, underscored the role of his UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign in engaging stakeholders to raise awareness and increase political will and resources to combat violence against women and girls.

Ban said an alarming number of adolescent girls are assaulted, beaten, raped, mutilated and murdered worldwide. He observed that adolescent girls, in particular, face “multiple deprivations,” such as unequal access to education and sexual and reproductive health services, and said “a culture of impunity allows violence against adolescent girls to continue unabated.”

According to data issued by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), an estimated 70 million girls aged 15 to 19 report being victims of some form of physical violence, while around 120 million girls under the age of 20 have experienced forced intercourse or other forced sexual acts. However, 70% of victims never seek help as they do not identify it as abuse or as a problem. UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Geeta Rao Gupta said that while the problem is global, solutions must be found at the national, community and family levels, and “we are all accountable for ending violence against girls.”

UN Women’s Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, warned that widespread gender-based violence has ultimately led to “a catastrophic loss of human potential.” She said UN Women is initiating a youth-led programme to help prevent violence and challenge gender stereotypes and norms that perpetuate violence. A group of independent UN human rights experts issued a joint statement to mark the Day, urging governments to support adolescent girls as “key actors in shaping the present and the future.”

In December 2011, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) designated 11 October as the annual International Day of the Girl Child. [UN Webpage for International Day] [UN Press Release] [UNICEF Press Release]