Arab Girls’ Summit: A space for girls and young women to make their voices heard

Amman/Cairo, 11 October 2022- On the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child, the “Arab Girls’ Summit” is being held for the first time, from 10 to 12 October in Amman, Jordan. The summit is hosted by the National Council for Family Affairs of Jordan in cooperation with the League of Arab States, UNFPA Arab States Regional Office , UNICEF Regional Office in the Middle East and North Africa and Plan International.

Although adolescent girls constitute 8.9 per cent of the population of the Arab countries, child and adolescent girls in the Arab countries still face many challenges. One in five girls under the age of 18 is married. Girls also suffer gender inequality in   education and work. Despite the progress made, many girls are still vulnerable to harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and its serious physical and psychological consequences.

The summit provides an opportunity for child and adolescent girls from 12 Arab countries as well as decision-makersasand decision-makers to discuss four themes: health and well-being, learning and livelihoods, freedom from violence and access to justice, and participation and leadership.

The summit seeks to promote regional efforts aimed at gender equality and the empowerment of adolescent girls in the Arab countries and to provide effective support for the rights of child and adolescent girls by guaranteeing commitments from officials and decision-makers. The summit also promotes dialogue and exchange of knowledge and highlights and discusses the unique challenges facing girls and young women in the Arab region. 

The organizers also hope to encourage investment in campaigns that ensure support and participation on the local, national and regional levels, as the Arab Girls’ Summit does not target only young girls between the ages of 13 and 19, but it also targets initiatives, active groups, Member States of the League of Arab States, partners and regional stakeholders.

The summit provides an interactive and creative space for young girls to engage in issues of interest to them through a special exhibition area that includes a range of art spaces, exhibitions and kiosks.

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For media contacts:

UNFPA Arab States Regional Office: Rose Marie Gad, gad@unfpa.org, +201061662888

UNICEF MENA Regional Office, mhawari@unicef.org, +962797564604

Plan International Jordan Office, dalia.kharoufeh@plan-international.org, +962795382822
 

For more information about:

UNFPA Arab States Regional Office: www.arabstates.unfpa.org 

UNICEF MENA Regional Office:  www.unicef.org/mena

Plan International Jordan: www.plan-international.org/jordan