IDOG 2023
International Day of the Girl 2023
Celebrating the 2023 International Day of the Girl: Empowering Girls in the Digital Age
The International Day of the Girl is a significant global event dedicated to recognizing and empowering girls and addressing the challenges they face. In 2023, The Power of Girlhood celebrated its tenth consecutive year of hosting the International Day of the Girl event. This year's theme, "Digital Generation, My Generation," focused on empowering girls in the digital age. The event fostered collaboration among local organizations and aimed to provide girls with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world successfully.
Digital Generation, My Generation Series:
The heart of this year's celebration was the "Digital Generation, My Generation" series of empowering sessions held at five different schools in the metro Detroit area. These sessions were designed to put agency into the hands of girls themselves and address critical issues faced by teenage girls today. Let’s recap the tour by highlighting every day of the week, our location, and what we discussed:
Monday, Hazel Park High School (October 9th): The series kicked off at Hazel Park High School, where girls engaged in conversations about digital careers, social media interactions, cyber security, and financial literacy. The event was held from 8:00 - 9:30 am, and it set the tone for an inspiring week.
Tuesday, Henry Ford Academy (October 10th): The second session took place at Henry Ford Academy, focusing on empowering girls to thrive in the digital age. This interactive session was held at 9:00 am and provided girls with insights into digital opportunities.
Wednesday, Center for Advanced Studies and the Arts (October 11th): The event continued at the Center for Advanced Studies and the Arts in Oak Park, where girls explored the digital world's intricacies and opportunities. The session ran from 1:15 - 2:20 pm.
Thursday, Virtual Session (October 12th): On Thursday, The Power of Girlhood hosted a virtual session via YouTube, ensuring that girls and audiences worldwide could participate in the empowering discussions.
Friday, Southfield Arts & Technology (October 13th): The series concluded at Southfield Arts & Technology, where girls gathered at 9:30 am to discuss the importance of digital literacy and how it impacts their futures.
The Power of Empowering Girls:
The International Day of the Girl, introduced by the United Nations in 2012, emphasizes the importance of girls' human rights, gender equality, and addressing discrimination and abuse faced by girls worldwide. This year's celebration aimed to inspire participants to take action and work within their communities, governments, and nonprofits to advance the lives and opportunities of girls.
As founder of The Power of Girlhood, I would like to highlight the significance of empowering girls and encourage the community to support these young change-makers. By harnessing the collective power of girls and their allies, positive change is not only possible but inevitable.
The 2023 International Day of the Girl celebration, organized by The Power of Girlhood, was a testament to the commitment to empowering girls in the digital age. By addressing critical issues and fostering collaboration, the event provided girls with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital world. As we celebrate a decade of empowering girls, we recognize the importance of girls' empowerment and agency, underscoring the potential they hold to shape a brighter future.
