Manila: Scores of cyclists, including a delegation from Dubai, braved the busy and narrow streets of Marikina City in the Philippines on Saturday to send a strong message — that fighting for girls’ rights is everybody’s business.
A Dubai Cares delegation, led by its CEO Tariq Al Gurg, took part in the Bike Ride for Girls’ Rights in Marikina City on Saturday as part of the celebration of International Day of the Girl Child in the Philippines. The event aimed to raise awareness against gender-stereotyping and serve as a platform for Filipino girls to break through gender norms in the country.
While nearly all basic education data shows favourable trends for girls, gender-based discriminatory attitudes and practices continue to pose distinct challenges to girls’ empowerment in the country. They are socially expected to help in the family, often putting domestic responsibilities first before their own education, especially in rural areas.
Around 80 bikers, including the Dubai Cares contingent and its partner agency, Plan Philippines, rode around Marikina City for 2km as part of the Because I am A Girl campaign that aims to support millions of girls to get the education, skills and support they need to transform their lives and the world around them.
After the ride, Al Gurg said that the Dubai Government is always keen on looking into the needs of Dubai’s big community populations back home, especially in terms of education. An estimated 400,000 Filipinos currently live in Dubai and work in the service sector, health care, aviation, and education, among others.
