We celebrate the Girl Child Day

This month, girls and women take center stage at Mumbai Smiles. We are hosting various activities and public events to raise awareness about the rights of women and girls in these communities.

One of these events took place last Sunday. We celebrated the International Day of the Girl Child, in presence of many mothers, fathers, authorities, and community members—as well as with Jaume Sanllorente, the foundation’s CEEO and General Director. The theme for this year’s event was “Let’s end child marriage and invest in girls’ rights.”

The event included moments dedicated to raising awareness about the serious issue of child marriage, as well as more lighthearted segments. Among these was a performance symbolizing education as a tool to prevent the exploitation and violation of children’s rights. Once again, the Mumbai Police also took part in the event. It is worth noting that this institution works closely with Mumbai Smiles on awareness-raising and prevention, as well as through direct intervention in rescue operations for victims of human trafficking and exploitation.

Raising awareness about the risks of child marriage and gender-based violence are two priorities in our strategy to prevent gender inequality—an inequality in rights that, in turn, leads to situations such as exploitation or human trafficking, whether involving minors or adults.

That is why it is so important to continue investing in education—both as a means and as an end in itself—with a special focus on girls, as they are the ones most adversely affected by gender inequality.