11 Days of Action

October 4th: Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd

Welcome to Day 4 of the 11 Days of Action!

Advocating for Justice for Girls Around the World

The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd believes wholeheartedly that girls need access to the digital world but we also know the very real risks that come with girls gaining that access. Girls face increased harassment and violence online. Human traffickers increasingly use the online world to find, groom and eventually sexually exploit girls. The digital divide keeps girls from reaching their full potential but just getting access to the internet isn’t enough. Girls need to access these spaces in a safe and equitable manner. 

How does Good Shepherd protect girls online?

  • We advocate with governments to hold traffickers and online perpetrators of violence accountable and establish and enforce laws and regulations that keep the internet a safe space. 
  • We ensure child safeguarding measures within our organizations and schools that protect girls’ privacy and data online. 
  • We support awareness raising campaigns led by girls within their communities and schools to highlight the growing concern of online violence and how to prevent it. 

Good Shepherd takes a holistic approach to empowering girls online and offline by working  to end violence against girls, accompanying those who have been sexually exploited, and trafficked. We ensure girls’ legal identity, advocate for legislation that protects girls from exploitation, and provide accommodation and educational opportunities for girls who are building and rebuilding their lives. We run educational programs on girls’ empowerment and ensure that girls are in school around the globe. Within communities, we work to economically empower mothers and girl-headed households so that they are able to support their daughters and sisters in their education. At the global level, we advocate for girls at the UN by drawing attention to the unique issues girls face, providing space for girls to have a seat at the table and contributing to documents and programs that support girls such as the L Platform of the Beijing Platform for Action and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

We hope you join us during our Twitter Chat on October 4th from 11am to 12pm EST to discuss how we can keep girls safe online. 

Join the conversation on social media:

Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd

Facebook: Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd – Justice Peace @GSIJP

Twitter: @GSIJP

#IDG2021 #11DaysofAction #DigitalInclusion4Girls #IDGxWGG