The President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has issued a Proclamation declaring Tuesday, October 11, 2016, as “International Day of the Girl Child,” to be observed throughout the Republic as a Working Holiday.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the event will be celebrated under the global theme, “Girls Progress = Goals Progress: A Global Girl Data Movement” while the Day will be observed under the national theme: “Make It Counts:  Advancing an Integrated Movement for Girls Empowerment.”

The Proclamation calls on local and international organizations, including UNICEF, Plan-Liberia, Government Ministries and Agencies concerned to join the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in executing appropriate programs befitting the occasion.

The release further states that the global community continues to make significant progress in improving the livelihood of girls through quality elementary, secondary and higher education avoiding child-marriage, receiving information and services related to puberty and reproductive health as well as admonishing them to be cautious about unwanted pregnancy and sexually-transmitted disease and gender-based violence.

The Proclamation also indicates that it is in this light that the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, in collaboration with partners and stakeholders will be celebrating this year’s International Day of the Girl Child.  

The Proclamation is in consonance with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 66/170, which was adopted December 19, 2011 declaring October 11, of each year as the International Day of the Girl Child in recognition of girls’ rights, which are critical for the eradication of poverty and breaking the cycle of discrimination and violence.