THE International Day of the Girl Child increases awareness of issues faced by girls around the world. It is an international day declared by the United Nations and is also called the Day of Girls and the International Day of the Girl. The internationally observed day was first commemorated on October 11, 2012. The observation supports more opportunities for girls and increases awareness about gender inequality faced by girls worldwide based on their gender.
This inequality includes areas such as access to education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care, and protection from discrimination, violence against women and forced-child marriage.
History
The International Day of Girls initiative began as a project of Plan International, a non-governmental organisation that operates worldwide. The idea for an international day of observance and celebration grew out of Plan International’s Because I Am a Girl campaign, which raises awareness about the importance of nurturing girls globally and in developing countries in particular.
Plan International representatives in Canada approached the Canadian federal government to seek a coalition of supporters to raise awareness of the initiative internationally, and eventually, Plan International urged the United Nations to become involved.
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On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly voted to pass a resolution adopting October 11, 2012 as the inaugural International Day of Girls. The resolution states that the Day of Girls recognises that:
– Empowering and investing in girls causes economic growth. It helps to achieve Millennium Development Goals, for example, the eradication of poverty and extreme poverty. The meaningful participation of girls in decisions that affect them is key to breaking the cycle of discrimination and violence and in promoting and protecting the full and effective enjoyment of their human rights. Empowering girls requires their active participation in decision-making processes and the active support and engagement of their parents, legal guardians, families and care providers, as well as boys and men and the wider community.
Annual themes
Each year, International Day of the Girl Child has a theme. The first was Ending Child Marriage, the second, in 2013, was Innovating for Girls’ Education, the third, in 2014, was Empowering Adolescent Girls: Ending the Cycle of Violence, and the fourth, in 2015, was The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030. The 2016 theme was Girls’ Progress = Goals’ Progress: What Counts for Girls, the 2017 theme was EmPOWER Girls: Before, During and after Crises, and the theme for 2018 was With Her: A Skilled Girl Force.
In 2022, we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl, and this year’s theme is Our Time is Now – Our Rights, Our Future.
In the last decade, there has been increased attention on issues that affect girls amongst governments, policymakers and the general public, and more opportunities for girls to have their voices heard on the global stage. However, girls’ rights remain limited and girls continue to confront challenges that hinder their potential. Girls around the world continue to face challenges to their education, their physical and mental wellness, and the protections needed for a life without violence. Girls with disabilities face additional barriers to accessing support and services. Covid-19 has worsened these burdens on girls around the world and taken away from important steps made over the last decade.
Ways to get involved
To commemorate the day, the World Health Organisation (WHO), along with other organisations, has organised a virtual dialogue between girl advocates and high-level leaders about helping girls worldwide achieve a greater amount of agency over their own lives and decisions in society. WHO is advocating for new policies that allow girls and their rights to be recognised daily, not just on the internationally observed day.
There will also be an International Day of the Girl Child 24-hour Virtual Forum, convened by Plan International.
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Ways to get involved:
– Share human interest stories, blogs and videos of girl changemakers, and the inspiring networks and organisations that are resourcing girls, letting girls lead, and strengthening services for girls. Let’s collectively amplify their leadership, actions and impact – to inspire others.
– Engage government officials, policymakers and stakeholders to make more targeted investments that tackle inequalities experienced by girls, especially while accessing mental health and psychosocial support services in the face of conflict, forced migration, natural disasters and the effects of climate change.
– Engage key female influencers across industries to be the face of change we want girls to see as possible. Role models speak a thousand words. Let’s change the global conversation and public perception of girl leaders.
– Amplify your commitment to raising awareness about and addressing factors that hold girls in your country and region back.
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