International Girl’s Day

Tomorrow we will celebrate International Girls’ Day, which is why I want to emphasize the constant need to direct our efforts towards building a healthy society, where patriarchal barriers and gender discrimination no longer have their place.

In Romania, there are about 2 million girls. Not all of them can exercise their right to education, safety or health. Every day, girls are exposed to the risk of suffering some form of violence, whether we are talking about physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect or exploitation. In 2017, 2,620 girls were physically abused, 624 were sexually abused, 978 were emotionally abused, and 5,554 were subject to neglect. It is no longer news that Romania ranks first in the EU, at minors giving birth. Annually, 700 more little girls between the ages of 10 and 14 become mothers. Children with children. These are only official figures. Surely the landscape would be much more alarming if we took the cases which are not reported into account. It is up to us to protect our children, for which we have proposed the establishment of the National Automated Registry regarding the perpetrators of sexual crimes, harassment or on minors.

The education of our girls cannot remain a wish, a form without foundation, present in all strategies and action plans. Education starts in the family, continues in school and, at the same time, in society. If in terms of family education it is much more difficult to intervene, we must ensure schools have a neutral learning environment, without stereotypes and gender roles. Girls as well as boys can succeed in any field, as long as they are supported and encouraged from an early age to discover and follow their passions. This is why, during this period, the #Girl2Leader campaign is underway, in which a group of 30 girls have the opportunity to accompany our parliamentary colleagues in their activities and to become acquainted with women’s leadership.

I thank all those who supported this project and hope that the 30 girls, along with many others, will become the leaders of a prosperous society, free from any cultural and stereotyped barriers.

Political statement dated October 10, 2018