News

Cairo, Egypt - 8th of October - To commemorate the International Day of the Girl-child, the Nordic and Baltic Embassies of Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Plan International Egypt granted an empowering opportunity to six Egyptian girls to take over powerful positions for a day by stepping into the role of Ambassador.

After having visited the various Embassies, the day was concluded by a roundtable discussion at the Swedish Ambassador’s Residence on the topic of “the portrayals of women and young girls in the media”, where the young “Ambassadors for a day” shared their opinions and recommendations on how to improve girls’ representation in different media channels, and the importance of positive parenting in shaping the way mindsets of the young generations about gender equality.

“The Day of the Girl Child takeover is an important way of empowering young women all around the world, as they step up to assume leadership responsibilities.  We must find ways to better improve the image of girls in media. In order to successfully meet SDG number 5, we must encourage and empower women and girls by recognizing and promoting their strengths both in daily life and in the media. “said Mr. Jan Thesleff, Ambassador of Sweden in Egypt.  

"The key to solving women’s health and education goes through the empowerment of women. By working closely with young women, we are able to secure them access to health and education and give them the possibility to manage their own lives". Said Mr. Tomas Anker Christensen the Ambassador of Denmark in Egypt.

“A destiny of every Egyptian girl is a fracture of her country’s destiny. By education and empowerment provided, every Egyptian girl deserves an opportunity to achieving her sky’s-a-limit dreams and becoming an Ambassador of Egypt, in particular or broader context.” Said the Ambassador of Lithunia Arvydas Daunoravičius

Ambassador of Estonia Mr. Miko Haljas stressed that everyone has the right to respect and dignity, everyone has something to contribute to their societies, therefore human development, including empowering the largest minority group, the women, will be high on our agenda also for our UN Security Council term of 2020-2021.

“Media plays an important role in establishing social norms, your identity, your health, and your well-being. Many female characters in the media have unrealistic bodies and behaviours. There is no PR for the real idols girls need.  No scientists, world explorers, chemists, psychologists. No web designers, charity workers, astronauts or business owners.  Because of this, we hope that the media and social media industry will start to portray women in ways that are more diverse, because if she can´t see it, she can´t be it.” Said Mrs. Laura Kansikas-Debraise the Ambassador of Finland to Egypt.

“Every child deserves to grow up believing one day her or his dreams will come true. As a father of two girls, I believe in gender equality and equal opportunity for boys and girls.” said Mr.Janis Rupeiks, Charge d’Affaires Embassy of Latvia in Egypt.

About Plan International Egypt

Plan international is an independent global child rights organization striving to a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. For over 76 years, we have supported girls and boys and their communities around the world to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights, free themselves from poverty, and live positive fulfilling lives.

Plan International has been working in Egypt since 1981 following an agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Solidarity. Today, Plan International Egypt works in 10 governorates; Cairo, Alexandria, Sharkaya, Giza, Beheira, Damietta, Qalyoubya, Assuit, Quena and Sohag

About IDG:

In 2012, the first International Day of the Girl was launched following global advocacy by girls themselves to establish the day formally, through a United Nations Resolution, with support from the Canadian delegation and Plan International. These efforts were motivated by a need to raise awareness about particular challenges girls face and actions that need to be taken in response to that. The movement was joined by many countries in a concerted action to show support for girls on the 11th of October each year.  The original argument for an official day focused on making the invisible lives of girls - both their plight and their power - truly visible, and to inspire commitments and action to promote girls’ rights. Growing each year since 2012, the International Day of the Girl (IDG) is now a thriving foundation for advocacy and gender-oriented activism for many individuals, organizations, networks and governments. Countries around the globe have been observing this day annually, and in that last 2 years, many presidents/prime ministers, and leadership figures have joined the celebrations through “takeovers” with girls showing talent and potential.

About Girls Takeover

To demonstrate their support for girl empowerment the international day of the girl, global leaders in 2016 began inviting girls to step into their roles for one day in a "takeover", where a girl gets the opportunity to shadow a leader in his/her workplace. The initiative focuses on supporting girls and young g women to take leadership roles in political, economic, and social spaces that affect the realities of their lives and/or can inspire their future plans. “Takeovers” offer unique opportunities to amplify the power of girls, but also showcase the commitment of specific institutions and individuals in support of girls’ issues and equality of girls. Increasing and supporting female leadership means starting with young women and girls, as well as challenging perceptions that leadership is a male purist. It means investing in educational approaches that teach girls and young women leadership skills and empowering them to put themselves forward for a decision-making role.