11
October
2021
|
12:32 PM
America/New_York

HE&R Celebrates International Day of the Girl

In honor of International Day of the Girl, this email was sent to our team members from our Women in Leadership Employee Resouce Group.

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Good morning, 

Today is International Day of the Girl, an annual celebration that seeks to empower girls and amplify their voices. Since 2012, October 11 has been designated as a day to highlight and address the needs and challenges that girls face globally. Originated by the United Nations (UN), today it is meant to raise awareness for the plight of girls around the world - especially in underdeveloped countries or those that continue to forbid girls and women from educational and professional opportunities. While there has been some significant progress, there is still much room for the advancement of girls. 

This year’s theme - Digital Generation. Our Generation. - “...recognizes the profound transformations that have taken place in the last year as many countries turned towards high-tech education to ensure continuity of learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and what this means for girls, who due to the gender digital divide are more likely than boys to be missing out on precious learning opportunities,” according to YouthLead.org. As a result, girls could be lagging behind in some countries as compared to their male peers. Encouraging girls to harness the power of technology to advance themselves is imperative in order to maximize their potential both online and offline. According to the UN, the percentage of girls among Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduates is below 15 percent in over two-thirds of countries around the world.

Perhaps this is why the story of the Afghan Girls Robotics Team made headlines when five of them fled their home country when the Taliban took it over. Now safely in Mexico, the team fears for girls in Afghanistan and other countries where they will not be encouraged to excel in school and careers - especially those in STEM.

In its proclamation of International Day of the Girl, the White House states, “Ensuring that girls can reach their full potential is not just a moral imperative, it is a strategic one as well.”

When girls excel, it is better for business growth and global economies. So what can we do to help ensure equality among girls? Educate ourselves on the ongoing plight of girls with books including Malala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls' Rights and A Girls’ Bill of Rights. Encourage girls and female team members to advance themselves with continuing education, explore STEM careers, and advocate for equality. 

Thank you, 

Women in Leadership 

Hershey Entertainment & Resorts is committed to cultivating diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workforce, marketplace, and community because we believe what makes us different makes us sweet.