Lucy, thank you for this account.  What more can we ask – discussing sustainable development goals and reading CEDAW as your charter!  Magnificent!  There are beautiful photographs.  See link at the end.

“We, Good Shepherd sisters in Myanmar celebrated “The international Day of the Girl” in Yangon. There are about 35 girls from RGS Leadership training program and Formation program. The program was started at 7:30 pm with opening prayer led by Sr.Martina. The theme and the background of this event day was introduced by Sr.Lucy. To symbolize the sense of internationality, the girls sang a song with different costume of different countries. Some sisters shared about lives as girls which were very inspiring for all of us. The girls were divided into six small groups to discuss about Six goals out of 17 Sustainable Development Goals ( SDG); which are:

• End Poverty
• End Hunger, Good Health and Well Being, Quality Education, Gender Equality and Clean Water and Sanitation.

These two following questions were asked and presented.

1.How our Myanmar girls are facing challenges in this specific area ( based on the six goals) ?

2.How can we overcome this critical situation?

Surprisingly, they were well aware of the situation of the girls in these areas and they were able to present well the real situation which is happening around us.

After each group presentation, CEDAW was read by one novice.

Then a colorful paper with hat shape was given to all and written “ What kind of girls they want to be?” on it. Writing down on the paper confirm their conviction and make them happy of being a girl.

The program was ended with social games followed by refreshment.

Apart from Yangon, there are 3 more areas (Kachin State, Shan State and Bago Division ) celebrated “ International Day of the Girl” organized by Good Shepherd Sisters. There are more than 100 girls participated in these three areas. For them it was the first experience of participating in this celebration that makes them aware of the rights of the girls and dignity. They came to realize the value and beauty of their lives. And it is remarkable for them to carry in their lives.

The activities are like an eye-opener for the girls to see their realities that happening around in their daily lives and awaken their conscious to stand firmly on the girls’ rights. internationaldayofthegirlinmyanmar_