By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Sept. 28: A recent report of Plan International stated that young girls were the drivers of gender equality in Asia and Pacific region. The advocacy organisation for girls across the world in a report ‘Asia-Pacific Girls Repor-2021’ released on Monday in Bangkok, Thailand, stressed the need for girl-led activism for building a more inclusive society. “Girls-led activism is a necessary force for gender equality in the region,” read the report.

The study report found that young girls were working tirelessly to ensure gender-transformative changes and social inclusion. According to the report, girls were distrusted of the opportunity due to religious beliefs, socio-cultural norms and maternal health in this society.

The Plan International suggested girls for civic engagement and participation on activism campaign for gender equality to measure leadership opportunities of adolescent girls in the region. Leadership capabilities can be measured through six different indexes like education, health, economic opportunities, protection, political voice and representation, and laws and policies. The organisation analysed the state of girls across the countries of Asia and Pacific region.

According to the report, Singapore (0.784), Thailand (0.733) and the Philippines (0.715) ranked as the three highest scoring countries in the region. Pakistan (0.392), Afghanistan (0.405) and Brunei Darussalam (0.462) ranked the lowest.

It also said that COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected girls in the region. However, post-effects of the pandemic was not reflected in the report.
Bhagyashri Dengle, Regional Director of Plan International Asia-Pacific Hub, said that young activist women can play influential roles to ensure gender equality and overall development of the country after releasing the report. “Only aware girl can break unequal social barrier and reform the society significantly,” she said.