Today is International Day of the Girl.
Today is dedicated to addressing the plights of girls worldwide, highlighting the dire conditions and circumstances that many of them are facing in 2018.
In 2017, the global population of girls was 1.1 billion.
Here are some startling facts:
Every 10 minutes a teenage girl dies because of violence.
By the end of 2018, 12 million girls under 18 will be married, and 21 million girls aged 15 to 19 years will become pregnant in developing regions, according to UN Women.
UN Women's website reads "Across the world, girls face adversities that hinder their education, training and entry into the workforce.They have less access to information, communication technology and resources, such as the internet where the global gender gap is growing."
Today is about our daughters, granddaughters, sisters & nieces. It’s about making sure they grow up in a world where their voices are heard & they have the support they need to chase down their dreams. #DayoftheGirl https://t.co/SBGT0x9Hc0 pic.twitter.com/DCz2XdlKuN
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 11, 2018
On iWork this morning, Emma started the show by saying "I have a question for you and it's an important question this morning based on the day that it is.
When you look towards the future, whether you already have kids or you don't, think about.. what kind of world your daughter might inhabit some day. What do you see for her? Do you think it looks good? Do you think she'll be treated equally in society by that time? Do you think that she'll be paid equally? Do you think she'll have the same opportunitues as men at that time?"
"Being a woman can be infuriating sometimes. I'm sure being a man can be infuriating too, but little things that we (women) are so used to hearing growing up like 'you can't be walking home on your own... you're a girl!', [..]"
Emma told the story of her friend who encouraged her to think about a different career many years ago, as he didn't feel she'd have any opportunitues in what he had described as a "male-dominated radio landscape".
She explained her passion to always overcome those societal hurdles and supressed views that many had and some still have. She asked iWork listeners to share any examples they may have, regarding times they "couldn't" or "shouldn't" pursue something becuase of their gender, and how they overcame that and succeeded.
Here's some examples:
"I was told that I couldn't go to college and that I shouldn't go because I was a young woman and I was expected to go into the family business which I enjoyed but not for me. So I said screw that and I went and got an honours bachelor in music and Spanish, and I have an associate and Lisentiate (honours) in opera and classical singing from Victoria College of music in London. I have competed abroad for Ireland in chamber choirs and I'm now a music teacher and in the future I hope to complete a fellowship. I will get there!"
"Hi ya love the show, im female and was told i couldn't do karate as it was a fellas sport and would be too rough for me, thats all i needed to hear, 37 years later im still training in karate and teaching students male and female to their hughest potential as karate atheletes, and hopefully as better people. Fulfill you dream male or female - its your life to live".
Have a listen back in full below.
