What is girls day?
Day of the Girl (also called the International Day of the Girl Child) is a United Nations observance dedicated to the promotion of girls’ rights and equality. It is celebrated annually on October 11. The purpose of the day is to draw attention to the challenges girls face in different parts of the world, to promote their rights and opportunities, and to encourage them to pursue their own goals.
The day was established by a United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted in December 2011, which designated October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child; it was first observed in 2012. The resolution followed on from broader commitments to women’s and girls’ rights, including the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and it emphasized the need to address the specific challenges girls face and to advance gender equality.
Why is the day important?
The day highlights the barriers girls face around the world, such as poverty, discrimination, child marriage, and cultural norms that limit access to education, healthcare and opportunity. Each year the observance often centers on a particular theme, drawing attention to a specific issue such as girls’ right to education, a safe learning environment, or the use of technology to support girls’ empowerment.
How is it marked?
Governments, international organizations and local communities mark the day with events, campaigns and projects. Many of these focus on improving girls’ access to education and healthcare and on fighting harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage. Over the years, such efforts have contributed to progress in areas like school attendance and narrowing the gap between girls’ and boys’ education in many countries, though significant challenges remain.
How can you participate?
- Take part in local events and campaigns marking the day.
- Share information on social media, including the day’s official hashtags.
- Support or donate to organizations that work for girls’ rights and education.
- Volunteer with local or international projects focused on girls’ empowerment.
