International Day of the Girl Child PowerPoint
Presentation Notes
Participant Age: 16+
English Skill: Advanced (or use a translator)
Materials: PowerPoint, Youtube video, Event Ideas handout
What is International Day of the Girl Child?: Every year on October 11th, people
worldwide celebrate this day to fight against the neglect and devaluation of girls around
the world. The UN’s theme for International Day of the Girl Child 2013 is “Innovating
for Girls’ Education.”
The Mission: “To recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around
the world.” Explain that through the discussion of gender issues, and today specifically
– girls’ issues, then people can make a difference and take a stand.
Issues Girls Face Today: Statistics about girls’ issues. After reading the stats, ask
the participants if any are shocking to them.
 54% of 3rd-5th grade girls worry about their appearance and 37% worry about
their weight.
 By 2015, females will make up 64% of the world’s illiterate (adult) population.
 Only 30% of girls in the world are enrolled in secondary school.
 One in seven girls in developing countries is married off before age 15.
 1 in 5 high school girls has been physically or sexually abused by a dating partner.
Topics Covered in this Presentation: Tell the audience that there are more issues
that girls face globally, but in this presentation, you will cover three of those issues: self
esteem, child marriage, and education.
Self Esteem Worldwide: Global statistics about girl’s self esteem. After reading the
statistics, ask the participants, “Why do you think girls have self esteem issues? Where
do this issue come from? Can we do anything to help?”
 While only19% of teenage girls are ‘overweight,’ 67% think they need to lose
weight.
 70% of girls avoid certain activities because they feel bad about their looks.
 Low self esteem can lead to destructive behavior, self-harming, eating disorders,
alcohol/drug abuse, and depression.
Media & Self Esteem: Watch the Youtube video of how a model is transformed with
makeup and photoshop into the final image. Ask the discussion questions on the next
slide.
Child Marriage Worldwide Statistics: More statistics. Ask what the situation is in
Georgia. Do girls get married young here?
 One in seven girls in developing countries will be married before the age of 15.
 Girls under 15 who are pregnant are five times more likely to die in childbirth
than women aged 20 to 24.
 Girls from poor families are nearly twice as likely to marry before 18 than girls
from wealthier families.
 Medical complications from pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of
death among girls aged 15-19.
Percentage of Women Ages 20-24, Married by Age 18: This slide shows that in
Georgia 10-24% of women who are now 20-24, got married before they turned 18. Is
that shocking? Normal? Do you think this is an issue?
Child Marriage: Two reasons why we should try to prevent child marriage: for health
and education. Girls face the risk of violence, early pregnancy, HIV infection,and
pregnancy complications. They are also less likely to complete their education and get a
job to help support their family.
Education: Facts about the importance of education.
 Education helps a girl to respect herself and to be respected by others.
 Education drastically reduces child marriage. On average, a girl with 7 years of
education will marry 4 years later and have 2.2 fewer children.
 Education is essential for a strong economy. One extra year of school boosts a
girl’s future wages by 10-20 percent.
 Education fosters critical thinking skills, which are essential for effective leaders
and democracy. More women are needed to solve global problems.
Issues that Girls Face in Georgia: Do some of these issues apply to Georgia?
Which is the biggest issue girls deal with? Do girls face other issues here? What can we
do to help? Use this time to brainstorm ideas of how to celebrate International Day of
the Girl Child and prevent gender issues in Georgia. Bring along the Event Ideas
handout for more ideas.