|
|
|||
|
Hi there, Today, as we commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, Afghanistan faces another crisis — another 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck on Tuesday. This comes in the wake of the devastating earthquake last Saturday, which claimed over 2,000 lives, and the current situation is still dire. The International Day of the Girl Child is when we focus on the unique challenges that girls encounter and to champion their empowerment and the realization of their human rights. The ongoing crisis in Afghanistan underscores the urgent need to provide assistance and support to women and girls in Afghanistan and beyond. Tragically, the majority of deaths in the initial earthquake were female as women and girls were at home, looking after their families, while men worked outside. Among the 12,100 people affected by the earthquake, approximately 3,000 are women of reproductive age, including 1,410 adolescent girls and 183 pregnant women.
The current crisis in Afghanistan serves as a stark reminder of why observing the International Day of the Girl Child is so vital — to empower women and girls every day. Here’s a tangible example of how delivering consistent, lifesaving care year-round can have a huge impact on the lives of girls: Last month I visited two refugee centers in Jordan. In one center, I witnessed the positive impact of your support on girls' empowerment. However, in the other, the profound challenges that displaced girls face were painfully evident. We first visited the Zaatari Refugee Camp, the largest refugee camp for the world’s largest refugee crisis. 83,000 Syrians call Zaatari home, with children making up half of these residents.
UNFPA supports safe space at Zaatari for educational classes, but also for childcare, counseling sessions, and to build community with other women in the camp. Women and girls aren’t allowed to exercise in public, so the safe space gives them a place to exercise and play games like soccer, basketball, and musical chairs. We visited UNFPA’s Adolescent Girls Empowerment Center which girls are elected to run and tailor programming for. The center includes child care, so girls who are responsible for their younger siblings can still enjoy free time with friends. UNFPA offers educational classes on topics like menstruation, child marriage, ending violence against women, and human development. At Zaatari, girls like Ranya, a 17-year old survivor of abuse and mother of two young daughters, come to the UNFPA safe space for educational classes, childcare, counseling sessions, and to build community with other women in the camp.
Life at Azraq Refugee Camp is a different story. Azraq receives fewer resources than Zaatari, and the camp is totally surrounded by desert. Azraq was built to house Syrian refugees when Zaatari reached capacity in 2014.
Even though Azraq’s clinic offers robust services like prenatal care, family planning counseling, regular check-ups, and immunizations for children, women and girls are more likely to die when emergencies do arise because it is so remote. Women can attend educational classes but because there is less space and funding for childcare, many women in Azraq have to bring their children to their classes. Women and girls shared their challenges with us, like limited job opportunities, not having any green space, and, due to funding shortages, no longer having access to recreational activities like exercise or beauty classes. On the International Day of the Girl Child, I’m reminded of how much work is left to fulfill girls’ empowerment — in the Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan, and beyond. Thank you for continuing to stand with us in our mission. Together, we are making a difference. — Dana Kirkegaard |
|||
|
|
