The territory will this year for the first time be celebrating the International Day of the Girl, scheduled for October 11.

On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.

The Resolution reads in part: “Empowerment of, and investment in girls are key in breaking the cycle of discrimination and violence and in promoting and protecting the full and effective enjoyment of their human rights.”

International Day of the Girl Child, according to dayofthegirl.org is to “raise awareness about all issues concerning gender inequality around the world.  It’s a day when activist groups come together under the same goal to highlight, discuss, and take action to advance rights and opportunities for girls everywhere.”

“October 11 is not just a day — it’s a movement. A worldwide revolution. We want ourselves, and girls everywhere, to be seen as equals, in the eyes of others, and in our own eyes.”

Locally, celebrations will kick off on October 20 with a beautification service project at the Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tafuna from 4p.m - 6:30 p.m. and this project will run until October 24.

(The worldwide event is October 11, but will not be held in the Territory on that day due to White Sunday, October 12.)

The beautification service project will include planting, cleaning, painting and other work needed to beautify a venue that is utilized by most everyone.

On Saturday, October 25 from 6 a.m. - 1p.m., a special ceremony is planned for every female — young and old — and will start off with welcoming remarks, a song and a prayer. It is a day that will celebrate life through health and sports.

Different workout sessions for Zumba, TaeBo, and cross fit training will be conducted, followed by a visitation of sports exhibitions on the field (handball, boxing, weightlifting, softball basketball, etc.)

International groups that have been invited to participate include the Korean, Filipino, Tongan, Fijian, Chinese and Hawaiian communities.

In an interview with Samoa News earlier this week, event coordinator Moana Purcell, the co-chair for Women and Sports under the American Samoa National Olympic Committee (ASNOC) said International Day of the Girl celebrations will be carried out through partnerships with local sports federations, different ethnic community groups, government departments and agencies, church organizations, and local residents.

“In a remote areas such as ours, there isn’t that much for our women to do,” she explained, adding that the goal of next month’s celebration is to bring together all women — from children to adults and especially mothers — to fellowship, enjoy themselves, and discover things that are new to them.

 Breast Cancer Awareness Month is also celebrated in October, Purcell said, and therefore, a special "Walk to Remember" is planned, through coordination with the American Samoa Cancer Coalition, the American Samoa National Nurses Association, and the Department of Health.

The Walk is to honor cancer victims and survivors, as well as to raise awareness amongst the female population.

As a leading figure in women’s sports locally, Purcell has taken the lead in trying to use the event as a way to promote different sports to our young female athletes.

“We need female boxers, weightlifters, girls to play handball,” she said. “We need to garner some interest from our girls and emphasize the importance of staying fit and healthy. We want to get them involved in something productive, things that interest them so they won’t spend their time being idle.”

Purcell noted that social issues including drug use and teenage pregnancy are on the rise and they are trying to promote interest in different sports as an alternative.

One of the interesting goals of the event is get all the mothers to come out with their daughters, “to be with them, to support them. This is a girls’ day and we want everyone to come out to show support of each other.”

The American Samoa National Nursing Association will be providing tips on how to stay fit and be healthy as a way to combat non-communicable diseases like hypertension, obesity, and diabetes.

“Basically, we are aiming not only to raise awareness, but to get all the ladies to come out, form bonds, and promote self esteem amongst themselves - from children to teens, adults, and seniors, especially local mothers,” Purcell explained.

As a treat, she added, a gifted group of athletes from the Special Olympics will also be there.

A meeting to finalize everything will be held at 4:30 p.m. next Wednesday, Sept. 24 at the ASNOC conference room.

Anyone interested in joining the ‘movement’ can call the ASNOC office at 699-8855 or contact Moana Purcell directly at 258-8998.