Dear Editor,

Last Thursday (Oct. 11) Pemberton Secondary School and the Pemberton Women's Institute celebrated the First International Day of the Girl.

After the bell rang for lunch break students congregated around the school sign in front of the building and four girls presented their views on why the International Day of the Girl is important to them.

They recalled the tragic shooting of Malala Yousufzai, who lives in Pakistan and was attacked and shot by extremists who don't want girls to have an education, don't want girls to speak for themselves and don't want girls to become leaders.

They honoured brave young women, some of whose names they will never know, who struggle against tradition, culture, outright hostility and violence to pursue their hopes.

To end gender stereotypes, discrimination, violence and economic disparities that affect girls ... including gender violence, early marriage, child labour and discrimination at work.

They pledged to do something incredible ... to begin building an international force, one committed to acknowledging the challenges girls face and to work together toward effective change.

The Pemberton Women's Institute is looking forward to working with the local girls on this great initiative to create a better community for themselves, their families and their friends.

Above all, Oct. 11 is a day of celebration. We know that a lot of work has to be done, but we took the time to cheers the fact —we are girls — and blew soap bubbles into the air.

Thanks to presenters Clea Liakakos, Bailey Raimondo, Molly Wallace and Nadia Perkins and organizer Brenda Mcleod, administrative assistant at Pemberton Secondary School.

Valerie Megeney

Pemberton Women's Institute