International Day of the Girl 2020 : Letters to the Girls who inspire us

It’s time to reimagine a world where every girl is safe and free to exercise all her rights - where equality is a fact for every child. Girls are changemakers, world shakers and shapers. Girls are demanding their right to be protected. They’re combatting child marriage, stereotypes, education inequality, violence, climate change, menstruation stigma - and they won’t stop.

11 October is International Day of the Girl.

Let's tear down all barriers and lift them up. Let's reimagine an equal world for all.

This year under the theme ‘My voice, our equal future’, we want to invite young audiences to write a short letter to all girls who inspire them or to someone who is helping to break the barriers girls face around the world and building a more equal world for all - their family member, their best friend, a feminist icon, an influencer, a young leader, etc. Others can also write a letter to themselves as adolescent girls - encouraging bigger and bolder actions, or sharing words of wisdom to their younger selves.

We want to give a shout out to all the amazing people who are breaking gender stereotypes and lifting girls up, people who are inspiring young girls to chase their dreams. Now, more than ever, we need to work together, be kind, and build a more equal world.

To share your letter tag as at our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn platforms: UNICEFZimbabwe or write to @[email protected]

Kayla's letter to herself

Dear Kayla,

A few months ago, if someone had asked you who your role model was, you would have screamed, “YARA SHAHIDI”. You worshipped the ground she walked on, from her impeccable fashion sense to her heart of gold. “She changed me for the better,” you would have said, and you were not wrong. She has made such an impact in the world, directly through her initiatives such as Eighteen x 18 and indirectly by inspiring young girls around the world.

You have grown, you have met incredible people who have made you a caring person.

From your best friends, Rumbidzai and Hayley, you have learnt how important it is to be yourself and to shine on others the light God blessed you with. From your mother- the encouragement you  strive to change what needs to be changed and be who God created you to be.

Now you look up to yourself as well as every girl in this world. You look up to Yara and to the girl who fought to get out of bed today. You are inspired by every single girl who is fighting her own battle because you know how it feels to fight for something and to fight for someone you love.

I know now that it is not only about who built the most number of schools but it is also about who is inspiring that one girl to bring her dreams to reality and get her education. I am surrounded by a world of inspirational women and girls and that gives me hope for a better future. I just pray that one day I can track my inspiration to others as they are to me.

Your 14 year old self

Kirsten Maforo's letter to mum

Dear mum,

You are the best.

When you hug me, I feel the love. In your arms, the world is safe.You are strong! You even go out of your way to buy me nice things. You are a beautiful soul to me.

Forever, you will be the key puzzle piece of my heart. I am incomplete without you. I love you mum!

Kirsten

To the woman who inspires me

Dear Mrs Gudo,

Thank you for being you and being in my life as an inspiration. You will realize after you read this letter the impact you have had not only on my life but many other girls like me out there. You’ve done so many things that have inspired me to be more like you are. If you’re reading this, then I’m assuming that you’re either getting ready to cry or you’re wondering how you have inspired me.

Most people think you need to do something big like re-invent the plane or end world pandemics to be an inspiration or role model, but that’s not true. It is the little things you do that have inspired me. It is the first milestone you have taken to put into the limelight in a good way, the Apostolic community especially fighting for the rights of the girl child.

The work you are doing with Apostolic Women Empowerment Trust is amazing. It does not matter that we do not get to talk on a one on one basis but the work you are doing for the Apostolic community and all girls and women out there is amazing.  You taught me through your actions that it is ok to be selfless, you have made me see that even if you are in a good space you should help those in bad spaces.

You’ve taught me and other girls that the best way to handle people that do bad to you is to kill them with kindness as all good will get to follow you. You have inspired me to speak my mind, even if I’m in a crowd of those who disagree with me.  

You have made me realise that as a girl child I always have a voice and that there are going to be people who don’t always agree with me and that’s okay. The work you have started and are doing in the communities has made me realise that it is ok to speak up for what’s right and to not back down when it’s something I truly believe in.

Your actions have made me see a role model in you as you have taught me through your work that I should be unapologetically myself. I have learnt from you that there is always room for growth as I have seen this happen with you on a daily basis.

Based on how people looked down on the Apostolic community and how you have put us up on that pedestal in trying to do good, I have learnt that I can do anything and to follow my dreams even when things seem like they’re falling apart.  You inspire me with everything you do and as each day passes, I strive to be a better person than I was the day before. I am so thankful for the inspiration and I pray you keep inspiring young girls like me.  

Sincerely,

Kimberly Majongwe

13-year-old, girl from Budiriro