Today is the #DayofTheGirl. Read a wonderful blog by Sarah Cowley – her thoughts on today and her experience being part of Soroptimist International

*Originally written for SI Moreton North Inc. Special thanks to Sarah and Chris Knight of Soroptimist International South West Pacific for sharing this blog with us.

“The theme for this year’s Day of the Girl is ‘GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable’. This important day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

For me, this theme resonates a lot with my personal beliefs and how I have tried to act and work throughout my adult life. I have always tried to ‘do my bit’, whether it be through education programmes, studying or working with young people to empower them. I have always done my best to use my voice to advocate for change, especially for women and girls. I think it is also important to recognise the women who’ve come before us an acted as trailblazers for the world we know now.

This Day of the Girl, I want all women and girls to know that they are unstoppable, and a force to be reckoned with. I want girls to know how powerful they are and what their potential is. I have also become a mum to a beautiful daughter this year, so I have been reflecting a lot on what I want to do to create a better future for all the girls of the next generation.

Freedom, equality and liberation all come to mind. I don’t want the equal pay debate to still be happening – it should be rectified. I want girls to have control over their bodies. I want equal representation at work. I want more men to support women in their quest for equality.

Wanting all of these things for myself and others is why I joined Soroptimist International Moreton North Inc (SIMNI). I wanted to be surrounded by supportive, powerful women who are leading change and are activists for women’s rights in their communities and the world. Women who are the voice. I wanted to be a part of something big, that will empower me to create change for women and girls too. I wanted to invest my energy into meaningful activities where I knew I would have a voice that was heard, so I could make a difference too.

And that’s what I’ve got.

From being a Soroptimist, I’ve had the privilege to meet and work with women from all over the world, including in Australia, Nigeria and Cambodia. There are also opportunities as a Soroptimist – regional and international conventions, a global network and association with the United Nations. We can have a voice and be activists and leaders in our community and the world.

I am grateful for the friendships, support and opportunities that have come from being a Soroptimist, especially from the members of my SIMNI club. I am grateful for the activities I’ve been able to partake in because of this group. I am also grateful that, as a young woman pushing for change in this world, I have women supporting me. I am grateful that I have a voice that is heard, and I will continue to keep working so other women and girls can be ‘Unscripted and Unstoppable’ too. Happy Day of the Girl to all!”

Read the UN International Day of the Girl concept note HERE

Visit the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action HERE