October 11 International Day of the Girl Child: Being a girl in Turkey

Today is October 11, the International Day of the Girl Child. This special day, celebrated annually by the United Nations to draw attention to the rights of girls and to combat gender inequality, also brings to light the painful realities faced by girls who are denied education and neglected.

Every year, millions of girls around the world are deprived of their right to education. In developing countries, it is a common problem for families not to send girls to school due to reasons such as poverty, traditional pressures, and gender discrimination. This situation hinders not only the future of girls but also the development of societies. Many of these girls, deprived of education, are exploited by being married off at an early age or forced to work.

Even more painfully, many girls lose their lives due to neglect and negligence. Factors such as physical and emotional violence, lack of access to healthcare services, and poverty lead these children toward death. Recent tragic events serve as a reminder of the seriousness of this issue. Although figures like Malala Yousafzai, who fought for the right to education in Pakistan, have tried to draw the world's attention to the lack of schooling for girls and the violence they are subjected to, unfortunately, many girls continue to lose their lives.

Many girls deprived of education remain vulnerable to health problems. They can lose their lives at young ages due to factors such as inability to access proper healthcare services, negligence, and malnutrition. Especially in rural areas, mortality rates among girls have reached alarming levels.

CHILDREN ARE DYING

In Turkey, at least 914 children lost their lives due to preventable causes during the 2023-2024 period. Some of these deaths involved girls, and accidents and injuries resulting from negligence are among the primary causes of death. Girls working in the agricultural sector, in particular, are more exposed to the risk of death due to workplace accidents. In 2023, many girls lost their lives as a result of the intense exploitation of child laborers in the agricultural sector. The mortality rate for girls was reported to be twice as high as that of women who lost their lives in workplace homicides.

CHILDREN ARE AWAY FROM EDUCATION!

As of 2024, the number of girls out of school in Turkey is at an alarming level. It is estimated that 1.5 million girls are outside the formal education system. These children cannot continue their schooling due to reasons such as the economic crisis, early marriage, gender roles, and inequalities in access to education. Poverty and price hikes in stationery, transportation, and school supplies place great pressure on families, and this situation affects girls the most.

Furthermore, in the 2023-2024 academic year, the participation rate of girls in secondary education fell to 88.7%. This rate represents a decrease of approximately 4 points compared to the previous year.

On this International Day of the Girl Child, it is more important than ever to raise awareness and take action so that all girls can have equal rights to education, health, and life. Let us not forget that a society can look to the future with confidence only as it protects and develops the rights of its girls.