Today, we unite under the banner of “New Era, New Me: Redefining What It Means to Be a Girl.” This theme not only reflects the transformative potential of girls but also underscores the importance of rewriting the narrative about girlhood.
Much like the Earth’s graceful dance around the sun, our values and culture, too, swirl and evolve in the ever-moving fabric of our dynamic world. It is essential that we revisit and reshape our understanding of what it means to be a girl. Gone are the days when girls were confined to limited roles and subjected to stereotypes. Today, girls emerge as architects of their destinies, destroying barriers and forging new trails. They demonstrate that gender is no compass for potential or worth.
Melanie Perkins, the co-founder and CEO of Canva, is a prime example of redefining what it means to be a leader and entrepreneur. She began with a vision to make design accessible to all, penetrating the fortress of a male-dominated tech industry. With unwavering determination, Canva morphed into a global design oasis, empowering millions.
Melanie’s path, unearths the truth that gender’s chains can never bind potential. She’s not merely an entrepreneur but an emblem of inspiration for girls and women alike, substantiating their capability to helm tech empires and transform industries. Her narrative beckons us to embrace boundless prospects for girls, in harmony with our Day of the Girl’s theme: “New Era, New Me.”
As we tread the path of redefinition, we acknowledge strides already taken. Girls excel in academia, storm male-dominated professional domains, and lead crusades for societal metamorphosis. They guide as leaders, scientists, artists, athletes, and catalysts for change, reshaping our world.
Yet, on the road to equity, shadows persist. Discrimination, gender-based violence, and unequal educational access linger in pockets of our planet. It becomes our shared mission to dismantle these injustices and grant every girl the stage to thrive.
To redefine what it means to be a girl in this new era, we must embrace diversity and inclusivity. We need to cradle girls of myriad backgrounds, talents, and identities and nurture their rights. UNICEF and a coalition of partners have called for a $1 billion investment-an unequivocal vow to every adolescent girl’s journey. This shows how much is needed to effect the change we seek. By flipping open a copy of this magazine, you’re already showing that you’re interested in giving girls their power and creating a gender equal world. So, make sure that you play your part. Invest in girls’ rights and girls’ education. Support advocates and advocacy programs. Lend your voice and resources to the fight against discrimination and let’s give our girls wings to fly.
As you join us in this celebration of girls’ power, resilience, and determination, together, we will sculpt a world where every girl boldly proclaims, “I am a girl, and my potential knows no bounds.
