The Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts recognises the importance of International Day of the Girl Child, 2021 with the theme: Digital Generation, Our Generation.
This is a day set aside to appreciate girls who light up our world.
Minister for Education, Heritage & Arts and Local Government, Premila Kumar said, “The Fijian Government, through the Ministry of Education has given due recognition to the education of girls by committing itself to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: that all girls and boys complete free primary and secondary schooling by 2030”.
Minister Kumar added that this day reminds and strengthens our commitment to eliminate deeply entrenched gender-based challenges that girls face globally.
International Day of the Girl Child focuses on problems and challenges faced by girls, including child marriages, lack of learning opportunities, violence, and discrimination, which are impediments to their well-being and the achievement of a better quality of life.
“In this digital era girls are equal partners in digital literacy and we must encourage our girls to take up studies in areas that are traditionally male dominated. These include ICT, engineering, architecture, etc. This Digital Generation is indeed your Generation” said the Minister.
Minister Kumar is calling upon all teachers, religious leaders, parents and elders within our communities to protect, nurture, and provide the necessary support and guidance so that our girls can reach their maximum potential as empowered girls will then become empowered women.
In Fiji, the participation of girls in ECE education is 47 percent, with 48 percent and 53 percent for primary and secondary education respectively. More than 50 percent of the students enrolled in our Universities in Fiji are girls. This clearly shows the ability of girls to progress with education. However, this needs to translate into the participation of girls in the workforce, especially in leadership positions.
“I am pleased to see many Fijian women venturing into leadership roles at national, regional and international levels and this has been made possible through the support and opportunities that they have been provided with since childhood. There is still a need to increase this participation especially through digital literacy” said the Minister.
She adds that, while there are celebrations of Father's Day, Mother's Day, and even Women's Day, calling for the rights of girls who are silently oppressed around the world is commendable.
“The protection, love, care and opportunity for girls needs to begin from home and that is where parents, guardians and family members play a very important role. The way we nurture them from the early years will matter a lot in terms of their future,” Minister Kumar said.
“I am challenging all Fijians to move away from the traditional and narrow mindset, which is limiting the opportunities of our girls, and to instead support them in achieving their dreams.”
The Minister urges everyone to work together in achieving a safer and more peaceful environment by abolishing all forms of discrimination against girls. We need to give them their share of love, care and protection, ultimately creating a safer world for girls to live in.