UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged the international community to uphold the "equal rights, voices and influence of girls in our families, communities and nations."
In his message to mark the International Day of the Girl Child, Guterres noted that in the past 25 years, there have been more girls completing school, fewer getting married or becoming mothers, and more gaining the skills they need to excel in the workplace.
However, many are still held back by harmful gender norms that influence everything they do, he added.
The UN chief pointed out that, 200 million girls and women have been subjected to female genital mutilation; three of four victims of human trafficking are women and girls; and conflicts trap millions in violence, uncertainty and despair.
Since 2012, the United Nations marks Oct. 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, which aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges faced by girls while promoting girls' empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.
"Girl Force: Unscripted and unstoppable" is the theme for this year.
