TRENDING

Beginning in 1989, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme decided that there should be a day to observe the significance of population issues, so they declared July 11th World Population Day. Each year has its own specific theme. For example, 2003's theme was "One Billion Adolescents" while 2007's theme was "Men At Work." This year, however, the theme focuses on you–yep, you read that right!

The theme is "Investing in Teenage Girls." While the day is to recognize all of the challenges faced by girls around the world, its particular focus is helping girls to understand their human rights.

Unfortunately, in several countries, girls of teen age are considered ready for marriage and motherhood. In developing countries, 1 in 3 girls are married before they are even 18. Can you imagine getting married at the age you are now? When this happens, girls are then unable to continue their education, which is obviously incredibly valuable to their success in life. In many of these situations, the girls do not know or understand their human rights. When girls aren't told about their human rights, reproductive rights and health, it leads to illness, injury and exploitation.

That is why the United Nations Population Fund is working to support girls in making informed decisions about their health and lives. They found that "when teenage girls are empowered, when they know about their rights and are given the tools to succeed, they become agents of positive change in their communities."

Nonetheless, tackling this issue takes a lot of work and planning. While World Population Day is a step forward in raising awareness about the problems girls face, the issue needs to be addressed every day for there to be a change–not just today. It's important for people with voices (that's you!) to speak for those who don't yet have one, and won't until equality is reached.

If you want to assist the United Nations Population Fund in helping other girls or want to learn more about their programs, you can visit their website here!

What do you think of this year's World Population Day theme? Let us know in the comments!

Information and photo credit: United Nations and United Nations Public Fund.

by Hayley Anderson | 7/11/2016