Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), has told girls that they matter as the party joined the rest of the Virgin Islands (VI) and the world in observing the International Day of the Girl Child on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Photo: Facebook/File

Chairman of the National Democratic Party, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) said, you cannot have a strong Virgin Islands if half our future leaders - our daughters - are left to fight alone for confidence, for education, for leadership. Photo: Facebook/NDP

According to UNICEF, each year, more than 12 million girls - roughly one every three seconds - are married before reaching adulthood, with the highest prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. Photo: UNICEF

This year, International Day of the Girl Child was observed under the theme ‘End child marriage and invest in girls' rights!’ and Hon Penn said, “In the Virgin Islands, we do not face child marriage as a statistic, but we face the same root challenge.”

Our girls are watching us

He asked whether real investment in girls is being made. 

“On behalf of the women of the National Democratic Party, I say this: Our girls are watching us. They are watching whether we give them safe schools, real opportunities in sports and technology, protection from abuse, and a seat at the table where decisions are made.”

The NDP, Hon Penn said, has always believed that development must be people-centred. “You cannot have a strong Virgin Islands if half our future leaders - our daughters - are left to fight alone for confidence, for education, for leadership.”

Powerful education, real protection & equal opportunity

Hon Penn said the party therefore commits to education that empowers, protection that is real and opportunity that is equal. 

“Every girl in every island must have access to quality education, STEM, and skills for the jobs of tomorrow…No girl should face violence, harassment, or discrimination in school, online, or at home. We must enforce it, not just talk about it…From sailing to science, from the classroom to the House of Assembly, let our girls know they belong.”

Hon Penn, speaking directly to every girl child in Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost van Dyke, told them that they are not a promise for tomorrow but power for today. 

“Your voice matters. Your dream is valid. And your Virgin Islands need you.” 

More than 12M girls married before adulthood- UNICEF

According to UNICEF, each year, more than 12 million girls - roughly one every three seconds - are married before reaching adulthood, with the highest prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa.

It added that child marriage remains one of the most widespread violations of girls’ rights, denying millions of girls the chance to stay in school, protect their health, live free from violence and fulfil their potential. 

Part of UNICEF’s message on International Day of the Girl Child encouraged people to stand up for girls. “Raise your voice for girls’ rights. Champion the solutions that help girls stay in school, stay safe and shape their own futures, especially in crisis and humanitarian settings. Challenge the harmful norms that continue to drive child marriage in communities around the world.”