HYDERABAD: A Song on the Value of Girls that invites men to be model fathers was launched on the eve of International Day of the Girl Child
On the eve of the International Day of the Girl Child, and as part of the second phase of the #ENDviolence campaign launched recently with the slogan #ItStartsWithMe, UNICEF India unveiled the Baap Wali Baat song, which presents a positive scenario free of violence where girls can thrive and develop to their full potential. “It is a song that stresses the importance of valuing girls for whom they are, of empowering them through education, protecting them and upholding their role as a human beings and citizens of our society,” said Louis-Georges Arsenault at the launch event.
The anthem of the #ENDviolence campaign talks to men of different age groups, inviting them to follow a role model that decides to stand out of the crowd and to do everything possible to ensure his daughter gets an education, is safe and dreams of a future where she can take her own decisions regarding her life. A father who does not care about the social pressure that other fellows may play on him, as valuing his daughter is his mission.
“Like this man, any man can undertake this mission and do their bit to empower, value and protect their daughter, sister, friend or any girl,” stated Mr. Arsenault.
The International Day of the Girl Child was declared to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. This year, the theme is Empowering Adolescent Girls: Ending the Cycle of Violence.
Besides reinforcing the value of girls in society, the second phase of the #ENDviolence campaign aims at raising awareness about different forms of violence, including physical, emotional, sexual and child marriage.
It builds on the idea that every child has the right to a happy childhood free of violence and for that to happen we all play an important role. Breaking away from social messages that transfer the onus of action to everyone out there, this initiative’s umbrella theme cut across the us and them divide and talk in first person: I can #ENDviolence because #ItStartsWithMe.