The United Nations has observed 11 October as International Day for the Girl Child, with the aim to raise awareness of girls' rights and the challenges girls are facing across the world. Among them are discrimination, violence, deaths and risks from sexually transmitted diseases, disability, preterm labour, and forced child marriages. Girls and women are also prone to be the first to fall under social and economic burdens, as they are usually required to quit jobs or schools to take care of family members. All these challenges have reflected the inequality between males and females in both healthcare and educational sectors.
This year, leading organisations led by AstraZeneca Thailand, Plan International Thailand, the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), the Sweden Embassy, the British Embassy, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will work together to continue this activity through the Young Health Programme to promote equality for girls and build leadership development through #GirlsTakeOver. Themed 'Role of Female Government Leaders who Promote Gender Equality' this year, the activity offered roleplaying opportunities to 8 girls, aged between 16 and 22 years old, from five schools and three universities. These girls demonstrated what they would do if they were leaders of an organisation in a given situation. The activity aimed to allow the girls to show their leadership and creativity, share their experiences and opinions, and develop teamwork. Designed to empower girls, the activity also provided guidelines on how they will become quality leaders and create gender equality in society in the future.
Mr. Roman Ramos, Country President of AstraZeneca (Thailand) Ltd., said: "AstraZeneca is determined to continuously drive its diversity and equality policy as well as advocate inclusion and diversity in society. This year, our #GirlsTakeOver activity contributed to the promotion of gender equality among girls via the creation of an environment and scenario in which participating girls assumed the roles of leaders. Our collaboration with leading organisations enabled the girls with real opportunities to understand the roles and responsibilities in the real world and learn from people with direct experience. We trust today's activity has given the girls a good experience and inspiration to become social leaders of tomorrow".
Dr. Rangsima Airawanwat, Ph.D., Country Director of Plan International Thailand, said: "Plan International believes in the power of girls and young women. The key is to empower and develop their leadership potential, as well as to provide them with a platform to express their voices, be at the forefront, and participate in decision-making on matters that affect them. This is to create inspiration for them to become leaders at every level in the future".
Ms. Suchana Sinthavathavorn, Vice President (Department, Quality of Life and Security Development and Promotion) of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) said: "DEPA is honored to be a part of this global campaign. Our mission is to promote the comprehensive and equitable use of digital technology to enhance the quality of life for all people. It includes economic, social, and health-related factors. As a female executive, I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to share my diverse experiences with young women. This time, the #GirlsTakeOver activity modelled the executive role, which will inspire and prepare young women to become leaders in the future. We deeply hope the campaign will establish a collaborative network to increase public awareness and pass on inspiration from generation to generation. From a junior to a leader, from a follower to an initiator, to facilitate access to and utilisation of digital technology nationally and internationally."
H.E. Mrs. Anna Hammargren, Ambassador of the Sweden Embassy said: "To empower women and girls is highly prioritised by the Swedish Government. Allowing girls to take leadership roles and to be seen, heard, and listened to is of great importance to achieve a more equal world, and to the overall benefit of societies' development. That's why the Embassy is proud to participate in Girls Take Over for the 5th consecutive year. I hope to inspire girls to believe in themselves and their capacity in shaping their own lives and society".
H.E. Mr. Mark Gooding, Ambassador of the British Embassy said: "The United Kingdom is dedicated to engaging with young women and transferring power to them as change-makers and future leaders. Girls Take Over is an excellent opportunity for the British Embassy Bangkok to work with British companies such as AstraZeneca to reach out to future female leaders in Thailand. The Embassy, in partnership with Thai National Science Museum, held a science workshop for participants to learn more about UK-Thailand collaboration on genomics and vaccine development. We are delighted to participate in this session to promote scientific collaboration and women and girls' empowerment, two issues that the UK champions globally".
Asst. Prof. Dr.Tavida Kamolvej, Ph.D., Deputy Governor of Bangkok, said, "As the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, we appreciate the commitment of the young people who choose to learn and engage with local government agencies. Typically, this kind of event often do not reach the local organisation. Allowing these young girls to participate the activity will help them better understand local government works and allow us to speak on behalf of local administration. It will demonstrate the significance of local governance and it is the best foundation for the decentralisation. In the #GirlsTakeover2023 event, these young girls have seen that women can work as firefighters, become doctors, and overcome various limitations."
The #GirlsTakeOver activity is a part of the #GirlsBelongHere campaign, a global initiative held annually in countries around the world under the Young Health Programme (YHP). Through the campaign, AstraZeneca Thailand, Plan International Thailand, and partners advocate and endorse gender equality, and highlight the barriers girls face from reaching their full potential.
For more information on AstraZeneca's #GirlsTakeOver activity, please visit:
https://www.younghealthprogrammeyhp.com/young-leaders/girls-belong-here.html
Source: Weber Shandwick