ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 (APP):The Pakistan Girl Guides Association National Headquarters celebrated the International Day of the Girl on Tuesday, bringing together more than 600 guides and students from across the country. The event was organized in collaboration with UNICEF Pakistan and the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC).
The celebration provided girls with engaging and interactive learning opportunities focused on health, nutrition, emotional wellbeing, and leadership development. Through hands-on activities and discussions, participants explored ways to build confidence, enhance their wellbeing, and become active contributors to their communities.
Among the distinguished guests were Ms. Rabia Waseem Farooqi, Parliamentary Secretary for the Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training; Ms. Mary O’Neill, Ambassador of Ireland to Pakistan; Ms. Nadia, Member NCRC; and Mr. Elnur Aliyev, Chief of Social and Behavior Change and Officer-in-Charge for Gender and Development, UNICEF Pakistan.
Welcoming the guests, Mrs. Maria Maud Sabri, National Commissioner, Pakistan Girl Guides Association, highlighted the transformative impact of Guiding on girls’ lives. She emphasized that Guiding is preparing the leaders of tomorrow by equipping girls with the confidence, skills, and values needed to step forward whenever leadership is required. She noted that Guiding is not only about acquiring knowledge and skills but also about embracing an effective learning methodology. Through learning by doing and making learning enjoyable, girls internalize valuable lessons and develop into capable and responsible citizens.
A key feature of the event was a panel discussion on the International Day of the Girl theme, “Invest in Her Today, Strengthen Her Tomorrow: A Pathway to End Child Marriage.” The panel brought together Mrs. Farhana Azim, Honorary President of PGGA; Ms. Baela Raza Jamil, CEO, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi; and Ms. Barira Hanif, Gender Specialist at the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. The discussion explored the importance of investing in girls’ education, rights, leadership, and opportunities as essential steps toward ending child marriage and creating a more equitable future. The panelists’ insightful contributions inspired participants to believe in themselves, dream boldly, and pursue diverse and unconventional career paths.
The event also provided a platform for Guide Champions from across Pakistan, including Turbat, Quetta, Badin, Karachi, Tharparkar, Kotli, Muzaffarabad, Multan, Chakwal, Sahiwal, and Lahore, to share their inspiring success stories. Their experiences demonstrated the positive impact of Guiding in empowering girls to become change makers in their families and communities.
In a special segment titled “Girl Guides’ Voices: If You Ask Us…” Guides presented their demands and recommendations as a call to action for policymakers, community leaders, and stakeholders. Their messages emphasized the need to end child marriage, expand access to quality education, create safe spaces for girls, and invest in opportunities that enable every girl to reach her full potential.
The International Day of the Girl celebration reaffirmed the commitment of the Pakistan Girl Guides Association and its partners to empowering girls, promoting their rights, and ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to learn, lead, and thrive.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
