According to the to UN worldwide, by 2021 around 435 million women and girls will be living on less than $1.90 a day — including 47 million pushed into poverty as a result of COVID-19.
1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence. Emerging data shows that since the outbreak of COVID-19, violence against women and girls (VAWG), and particularly domestic violence, has INTENSIFIED.
At least 60% of countries still discriminate against daughters’ rights to inherit land and non-land assets in either law or practice.
As the mother of two girls, this day, International Day of the Girl Child is personal for me. I know my girls, growing up in the United States are richly blessed. They have a safe home, enough food to eat, an education, and access to quality healthcare.
However, I also know that girls around the world, just like my 8 and 10 year olds don’t have the same rights and advantages.
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I’d like to invite you to pray with me for girls, our sisters in Christ around the world, using this prayer found on the Missionary Society of St. Columban website.
Let us join in praying ‘That our daughters may be as columns of the temple.’ (Ps. 144:12). We pray that women and girls everywhere may live life abundantly as God intended for them.
Lord of life, hear our prayer.
God of love and life, we pray for a change in the mindset of people to accept and respect your image in every person without bias. May everyone be valued equally as precious and loved.
Lord of life, hear our prayer.
We bring before you every ‘girl child’: daughter, sister, wife and mother in their different roles. Help us to uphold the dignity and empower the ‘girl child’ to play the rightful role in society.
Lord of life hear our prayer.
We pray for all victims of abuse, discrimination and violence who feel unloved and rejected. Heal their wounds and strengthen them to attain their potential to live fuller life.
Lord of life hear our prayer
We pray for the safety of girls in vulnerable situations, trafficked for sex trade, those who are exploited, oppressed and in distress.
Lord of life hear our prayer
We pray for those in authority: governments, organizations, Churches, Society: that they be sensitive to issues affecting the girl child /women, and adopt measures to promote their growth.
Lord of life hear our prayer
Amen
https://www.un.org/en/observances/girl-child-day
Jessica Franks
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