Today is International Day of the Girl Child!

What better way to address gender stereotypes than to open new horizons for girls? IOM in Kyrgyzstan conducted a girl empowerment initiative in schools to address girls’ school drop-outs, early marriages, and job segregation, as well as young women’s low levels of skilled employment. Through the programme, girls were not only taught about the importance of education and skills to secure a career, but also that they could enter many fields of work and break gender barriers.

The IOM-organized TV campaign broadcasted stories about a female electrician, a female car mechanic, and a male caterer, with a lot of success. School girls also participated in a professional orientation day during which they visited a number of vocational training facilities. The project hopes to contribute to increasing school girls’ capacities to realize their rights and determine their futures. 

Check out more photos here: http://ow.ly/pMNdh 
Watch the video used during the campaign here: http://ow.ly/pIj7w 
#dayofthegirl