“Young people are NOT beneficiaries; we are leaders with agency…”

On 22 July 2014, the UK government and UNICEF hosted the first Girl Summit, aimed at mobilising domestic and international efforts to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) within a generation. International Day of the Girl Child, Inspired by the Girl Summit 2014, Audacious Dreams Foundation, India being a proud signatory organization of first ever Girl summit, London, UK charter signed by various governments and international organizations. MR. Dinesh Gajendran, Catalyst and Executive Director of Audacious Dreams Foundation has been took part in Girls Summit as one of the representative from India. On 11^th October 2014, Dinesh Gajendran, Asia Regional Working Group member took a lead to organize “The Princess Summit” in association with Audacious Dreams Foundation (ADF) and St Mary’s Higher Secondary School. The day consisted of inspiring talks, interactive sessions, debates, competitions – strengthening young people as future leaders and kick starting the beginning of grass root change and understanding of national and global youth movements on girls’ rights. The event showcased positive examples for change and a key strand will be a focus on how young people can support a movement to end CEFM.
Highlights of the event:

• Launch of Audacious Dreams Youth Panel (ADYP)
• Essay Competition
• Aarambam – My First Journey- Drawing Competition
• “The Princess” charter commitment to support the Girl Summit Charter 2014
• Competitions, film festival, side events, panel, debate, talk shows, walkathon etc

Child, early and forced marriage affects millions of girls every year. One in three girls in developing countries is married by the age of 18. Some are as young as eight. Girls who marry young have babies while still children, putting them at risk of death or suffering for the rest of their lives. They are more likely to be poor and stay poor.

Forced marriage victims can suffer physical, psychological, emotional, financial and sexual abuse. Female genital mutilation (FGM) removes a girl’s right to have control over her own body. Traditionally considered essential for marriage and inclusion in the community, it is an extreme and violent way in which girls are controlled and disempowered. It can result in a lifetime of pain and difficulty in childbirth. Trends suggest at least 30 million girls will be at risk over the next decade.

The summit resulted in commitments to take action to end FGM and CEFM from organizations, governments, businesses, communities and individuals across the world.

The Princess Summit 2014 Charter on ending female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriage was signed by hundreds of signatories who stated that:

• “No one should be forced into marriage, or made to marry while still a child.”
• “No girl or woman should have to endure the physical and psychological effects of female genital mutilation.”
• “These practices violate the fundamental rights of all girls and women to live free from violence and discrimination.”
• “Such violations not only harm individual girls; by undermining girls’ ability to make their own choices and reach their full potential, they also diminish the strength of families, communities and society.”
• “So today, we commit to work together to end child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation, for girls and women, everywhere, forever.”

Links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/girl-summit-2014