Iran (IMAN) - First declared by the UN in 2011 and observed annually since October 11, 2012, the International Day of the Girl Child aims to raise awareness about the challenges girls face globally and to support greater opportunities for their education, health, and participation in society.
The observance highlights persistent gender inequalities in areas such as access to education, nutrition, healthcare, legal rights, and protection from discrimination, while also celebrating the growing recognition of girls and young women as vital participants in development, research, and policymaking.
In Iran, the occasion serves as an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of Iranian girls in diverse sectors, including education, science, sports, and healthcare, which continue to grow in alignment with international standards. Officials and analysts note that these advancements are often ignored or downplayed in foreign media coverage.
Following the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the participation of women and girls in education and public life expanded significantly. This transformation gave rise to a new social force—the educated female class—that has since become active in the nation’s cultural, academic, economic, and political spheres.
Rooted in values of religiosity, family, and patriotism, Iranian women have pursued higher ideals that reflect both national identity and intellectual aspiration, contrasting what officials describe as the “superficial slogans of the West.”
Education has been a cornerstone of women’s empowerment in post-revolution Iran. While women’s literacy and university attendance were limited to a small elite during the Pahlavi era, the Islamic Republic’s emphasis on equality and social justice opened the doors of education to women nationwide. This shift led to a dramatic rise in female literacy and academic participation, marking one of the most notable social transformations in modern Iran.
Today, Iranian women and girls play a pivotal role in advancing the country’s scientific and technological sectors, contributing to national progress and embodying the ideals of the Islamic Revolution.
The International Day of the Girl Child not only raises awareness of the challenges girls face but also underscores the benefits of empowering them—such as reducing poverty and disease, strengthening economies, and ensuring a more equitable future for all.
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