Wednesday a day to recognize issues related to girls
Oct. 11 is International Day of The Girl, first declared by the United Nations in 2012 to celebrate girls worldwide and their unlimited potential. Also on this date, we create awareness of challenges girls still face regarding their health, education, and well-being.This year the Girls Inc. network, which stretches across the United States and Canada, focuses on empowering girls to be informed and in charge of their sexuality and reproductive health:• 14 percent of girls in the US experience sexual dating violence.• One in Five will be sexually abused or sexually assaulted by age 18.• 78 percent are unhappy with their bodies.• One in 20 teenagers become pregnant each year.In Schenectady County, the New York State Department of Health reports that for every 1,000 girls aged 15-19, pregnancy rates were 64.7 in 2010 and 42.0 in 2015. In Albany County, that rate of 35.5 in 2010 dropped to 21.1 in 2015. Girls Inc. diligently helps girls plan for their future. While we believe our programming has had an influence on this downward trend, we realize there is much more to do.Parents, mentors, and trusted adults play a critical role in girls becoming informed.1) A crucial first step is to create a safe, non-judgmental space for conversations.2) Adults must model healthy behaviors and relationships.3) Become an advocate for comprehensive sexual education in schools to equip young people with vital health information.4) Help girls become thoughtful media consumers; explain negative media images and stereotypes.5) Encourage girls to embrace their uniqueness.Information is knowledge; knowledge is power. When girls are informed, they are unstoppable.Ashley Jeffrey BouckSchenectadyThe writer is executive director of Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region.More from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Thruway tax unfair to working motoristsSchenectady department heads: Budget cutbacks would further stress already-stretched departmentsSchenectady man dies following Cutler Street dirt bike crashSchenectady, Saratoga casinos say reopening has gone well; revenue down 30%EDITORIAL: Find a way to get family members into nursing homes Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion