October 2018 - Why Day of the Girl Matters
The only thing more powerful than a girl ablaze with passion and a vision is one who knows and is known by the Lord. Unfortunately, there are billions of girls that don’t know their worth because they live in a world that convinces them they have none – leaving them without hope.
In many developing countries, social and political landscapes have limited females from basic human rights, healthcare and education. Opportunities of growth and development are barred, and girls are prevented from reaching their true potential of who God created them to be: chain-breakers and change-makers.
That is why October 11th celebrates International Day of the Girl – a day that ignites a year-long effort of advocacy and policy change to bring awareness and transformation to marginalized girls. This year’s focus is on helping girls attain skills for employability in order to build a foundation for their future success.
As women of hope we stand in solidarity with our sisters across all generations and borders and affirm that we are created with purpose. Here are some things to know about the campaign:
Who?
There are 1.1 billion adolescent girls across the world, according to the UN. Many of whom face discrimination in their respected cultures from various issues such as gender-based violence, limited healthcare, education restriction and child marriage.
What?
International Day of the Girl seeks to promote girl’s empowerment and fulfillment of their human rights. Organizations around the world participate in a #GirlsTakeover – where girls get the chance to take over key roles in business, politics and other various industries for the day. “This shows that girls should be free to dream and free to lead,” says PLAN International.
When?
But why limit girls’ potential to just one day? International Day of the Girl marks the beginning of a year-long movement that aims to revolutionize cultural change worldwide that spans across all generations.
Where?
We’re talking change on global scale, but primary areas include developing countries and regions where girls are marginalized.
Why?
Most societies invest more into boys because they often are depended on to continue a family’s legacy. Girls are often pulled out of school to either help out their family, or to start to their own. Girls continue to face challenges when they are prevented from education access that will teach them the necessary skills to build a better life.
The more important question is how?
The most powerful thing we can do as humans is to love one another. What might that look like for you? Here at TWR Women of Hope, our way of loving our sisters around the world is sharing our faith in Jesus Christ. Our mission is to bring a message of hope through these five ways:
Pray
We are committed to praying for different regions and topics every month. Since this year’s focus is on employability skills, pray for educational access and resources to spur continued growth. Pray that girls would hear the gospel, and whether they have a job or not, would know that they are valued and loved by God. Pray for softened hearts around the world - starting with local communities to world governments - to enact change.
Listen
TWR Women of Hope has stood for marginalized girls for decades. This starts with a humble heart that is willing to listen to the voices that are crying out. Take time to listen to a girl who feels mistreated and unseen and notice how grateful people are to just be heard. Many of our own listeners have faced persecution, oppression and degradation from people, even their own family members. We answer with messages of encouragement through programs that offer practical and spiritual advice.
Learn
Continue to read what progress is being made and what can still be done, so that you can be a change maker in your local community. Research organizations that are making an impact in teaching vulnerable girls and women entrepreneurial skills. You can also stay updated through our blog where we share what our listeners are facing, and how our ministry is connecting with girls globally.
Grow
TWR Women of Hope has felt led to place more emphasis on developing the leadership capacity of girls. Peggy has written leadership articles for women to grow and mature into who God has made them to be. We continue to hold monthly prayer events in the Raleigh, NC area, and you are welcome to start your own prayer group.
Give
This can look different for many people, and one way is not better than another. You can devote your time to praying for girls, your skills that can lead to advancement of their wellbeing, or your resources that can help aid broken women. We are thankful for our dedicated prayer partners, volunteers, and donors that all contribute to sharing the gospel to unreached women across the world.
There is a lot of progress to be made, but with God nothing is impossible. We will leave you with this.
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.” - Psalm 139: 13-6
We are women of hope because no matter what the world says, we know the truth is that God loves us. Jesus sees us in our brokenness and knows every little or big thing we are going through. We were created to know God, just as the Lord knows us. We are fashioned together to do wonderful things because God says so. Do not pay attention to what the world says about you because