Today is International Day of the Girl, which was a day that was established after youth advocacy occurred worldwide in 2011, according to the holiday’s website.
According to the United Nations Women’s website, “This year, International Day of the Girl (11 October) will focus on the theme, ‘EmPOWER girls: Before, during and after conflict.'”
Students of California State University, Stanislaus (Stan State), reflect on why and how the girls in their lives are special to them, and the answers also come from abroad.
Canadian resident Abhi Singh shares his story and says he was excited when his sister was expecting a girl, but unfortunately had a miscarriage.
“I was excited to have a niece. I just never got to see her because my sister was hit by a drunk driver,” Singh said. “She is okay, but unfortunately she had a miscarriage.”
He added, “I still wish that we could have seen her once. It was really painful having to deal with that loss, but I think it would have hurt hundreds of times more if she was gone after she was born. Even after everything, I refuse to believe what the elders were saying about girls being bad luck. Especially in this day and age, completely refuse to believe that.”
Robin Wrench (senior, English) spoke about how special her niece, Chanel, is for her life.
“Chanel means a lot to me, because I was disappointed when I found out my brother was having a baby. I thought he [was] too young and too irresponsible to have a child. However, I met Chanel after she was born. I fell in love. I was scared to hold her. I didn’t want to hurt her. My brother insisted that I hold her and once she was in my arms, I didn’t want to let go,” Wrench said.

Chanels niece, Chanel. (Photo Courtesy of Robin Wrench)

Arya Singh, resident of India, shares why her sister is an important factor in her life.
“Even though she is 13 years younger than me, when I first held her I realized that I [was] meant to be an elder sister. I realized what being responsible [was]. She is a part of me,” Singh expressed.

Arya Singh with her sister. (Photo Courtesy of Arya Singh)

Lortus Geova (junior, Communication Studies) says her niece is the happiness of everyday.
“My house is already out-ruled with boys, so when I found out that I was going to have a niece I was more than ecstatic. She has been in this world for nine months and everyday since then has been such a joy. She is always smiling and can turn any gloomy day upside down,” Geova said.

Geova’s niece. (Photo Courtesy of Lortus Gevoa)

“Having two daughters [is] a blessing. I don’t know what else to say. It is the best,” Jasbir Singh, an India resident, said.

The two daughters of Jasbir Singh (Photo Courtesy of Jasbir Singh)

Nakia Garrett (senior, Liberal Studies) took time out of her busy schedule to talk about her daughter, sharing a favorite memory of her.

“My favorite memory with my daughter is when she was [in the] seventh grade and a boy asked her to tell her how much she liked him, on a scale of 1-10, and she replied with ‘friendzone,’” Garret said.

Garrett’s daughter. (Photo Courtesy of Nakia Garrett)

Student of California State University, Fresno (Fresno State), Sarena Badesha (junior, Biology) said her niece is the most valuable being in her life.

“To the world she may just be a little girl, but for me she is the most valuable little girl in my life. Her smile can change the atmosphere beyond words can express,” Badesha said.

Badesha’s niece. (Photo Courtesy of Simarjit Kaur)

There are many girls in the world and each and one of them have many things unique to offer to society. In honor of International Day of the Girl Child, people should take time out of their busy schedule and spend some time with their daughters, nieces, sisters, cousins, etc. Sometimes even the tiniest thing can become a great memory.