A New Zealand charity working in the Pacific says today's International Day of the Girl Child is a chance to promote better education of young women.
The United Nations marked October 11 last year with their first day of the girl child, and this year it is focusing on innovating girls' education.
The Tear Fund New Zealand's Education and Advocacy Manager Murray Sheard, says the Ola Fau programme in Fiji and Solomon Islands is looking at how girls can be supported by their local community with training and job prospects.
He says the programmes increase their self esteem and make them more resilient.
"Education of women and girls is usually done quite badly in the Pacific. They've actually become quite committed lately to education of women and girls which is a great thing. The girls who get past the basic education are much less likely to develop AIDS and they're much more likely to find a job."
The Tear Fund New Zealand's Education and Advocacy Manager Murray Sheard.
