Education is key to a brighter future. It is a right that everyone must have, regardless of race, gender, religion, or age. Childhood is an important part in every individual’s life, as it is time when their values and character can be shaped by their environment. It is also a time when learning and knowledge are critical towards their growth.

According to the United Nations, nearly 1 in 4 girls from age 15 to 19 globally are not in education, employment, or training. Compare this statistic to 1 in 10 in boys – and one can see the disparity between the two genders when it comes to having opportunities and the potential towards a better life.

On October 11, Teleperformance is one with the world in observing International Day of the Girl Child. It is a day of empowering girls globally, continuing to stand against gender inequality, raising awareness on the issues that girls face globally, and amplifying girls’ voices all around the world.

Spreading Awareness

Currently, the world is taking the right steps towards a fairer and better world for all. However, the journey continues to be a long one: more than 62 million girls around the world still have no access to education. Violence against children and girls is still an issue that needs attention. Around the world, girls aged 5 to 14 spend more than 160 million hours more on household chores than boys of the same age. Child forced marriages still happen to this day – every year, at least 12 million girls are married before they reach the age of 18. In developing countries, 40% of girls are married before age 18.

These numbers only prove that there is still a lot to be done. Every day provides an opportunity to be a spark of change – and hope – to allow girls achieve so much more.

Empowering Girls

On International Day of the Girl Child, Teleperformance only strengthens our ongoing commitment to equality and equal opportunity. We have always focused on empowering our communities by giving them a chance to have better lives.

One Teleperformance initiative that empowers girls and women is Teleperformance’s partnership with Saartje Baartman Center for Women and Children in South Africa. The center is a place for women and children who have been victims of abuse in the country.

Teleperformance shares the center’s vision of creating a safe and secure society and a human rights culture, where women and children are empowered to exercise their full rights. Our teams in South Africa came together to donate basic necessities to the center, as well as spring-themed coloring packs for the center’s children.

We have always believed that children are the future, and that girls are – and have always been – more than capable to become leaders, changemakers, scientists, artists, businesswomen, professors, among countless others. They can become whatever they want to be, if given the opportunity.

Join us as we continue to stand for equality by observing International Day of the Girl Child! Let us always take care of one another, and lend a helping hand to make a positive impact.

Visit our Citizen of the World page to learn more about our corporate social responsibility initiatives.