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Proclamation naming Saturday, October 11, 2014 as "Day of the Girl" in Allegheny County.
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WHEREAS, on December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared October 11th as the International Day of the Girl (IDG) Child, to recognize girls' rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world; and
WHEREAS, the IDG movement calls on communities across the globe to recognize that girls worldwide face many injustices such as discrimination, gender stereotypes, child marriage and lack of education, and empowers girls to fight for their rights. UNICEF has declared the official theme for 2014 as "Empowering Adolescent Girls: Ending the Cycle of Violence;" and
WHEREAS, locally, the 2014 Day of the Girl Pittsburgh celebration will be held on Saturday, October 11th at the East End Cooperative Ministries Community House and will feature community-oriented, family-friendly activities promoting the safety, health and wellness of girls and women; and
WHEREAS, Allegheny County joins the Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania, iTwixie.com, Sage Girl, Women for a Healthy Environment, Women and Girls Foundation, Working Group on Girls and other organizations throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in celebrating the annual Day of the Girl; and
WHEREAS, Allegheny County supports increasing girls' participation in sports, science and math-related activities, high school graduation rates, and providing equal opportunities for all girls by speaking out against gender-based injustices, celebrating all girls' potential, and encouraging all girls to pursue their dreams;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Allegheny County Council does hereby proclaim October 11, 2014 as the "Day of the Girl" in Allegheny County. We call upon all Allegheny County residents to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities that acknowledge the inequalities girls face, and support girls having equal access, opportunity, and influence in all aspects of their public and private lives.