October 11th marks the 11th International Day of the Girl Child, a day that reminds us of the pressing need for dedicated recognition and empowerment.
Some may question the necessity of a day exclusively for girls when we have World Children's Day and World Women's Day, but girls still face unique challenges and injustices that deserve our undivided attention on a global scale.
Empowering Through Education
While strides have been made in developed countries towards gender equality, a stark reality cannot be ignored. Gender discrimination continues to cast a shadow, forcing girls and women to prove themselves more professionally, all while grappling with the gender pay and pension gap.
Education, particularly financial education, is the beacon of hope in this ongoing battle. True empowerment flourishes when girls and women are offered equal opportunities to excel in every sphere of society. This enables them to embrace life with unwavering confidence and independence.
Educated girls have the power to:
● Secure better employment opportunities
● Make informed decisions about their health and well-being
● Contribute significantly to the social and economic development of their communities
Financial Education: The Key to Self-Determination
A self-determined life is anchored in financial independence, yet financial education remains a neglected aspect of school curricula. Shockingly, six out of ten women admit to having a limited understanding of financial matters, with a mere 13% investing in digital assets, compared to a staggering 23% of men (SmartPurse Barometer 2022). According to the same source, only 37% of women in the 18-25 age group have a pension solution 3a in securities, and most acknowledge their confusion when it comes to financial planning for the future.
SmartPurse's co-founder, Olga Miler, underscores the importance of this mission:
"We are taking a crucial step to provide young women with accessible financial education and firsthand insights into the realm of modern finance. By doing so, we are making a modest yet vital contribution to achieving the U.N. Sustainability Goals, with a particular focus on financial gender equality."
As we approach the 11th anniversary of International Day of the Girl Child in 2023, we eagerly anticipate remarkable initiatives and events that will amplify its impact.
Save the Date
Mark your calendars for October 11th at 13:00 GMT, and get ready to be inspired! We extend a heartfelt invitation to join us in our upcoming FREE webinar 'Raising Financially Savvy Girls' featuring the remarkable Davinia Tomlinson, the visionary force behind rainchq and the author of 'Cash is Queen'.
Together, we will embark on a mission to empower girls and women worldwide with these indispensable financial insights, lovingly crafted for the young women of today and tomorrow. Let's forge a future illuminated by financial wisdom and empowerment. Together, we can shatter barriers, bridge the chasm of financial education, and shape a world where every girl possesses the tools needed to navigate her own destiny.
This International Day of the Girl Child, let's fortify the leaders of tomorrow and ensure that no girl is ever left behind.
