International Day of the Girl

On International Day of the Girl, we're celebrating the incredible potential of girls around the world.

On this day we recognise all the progress that's been made for girls' rights in the last decade, but it is also an opportunity to highlight how much further there is to go.

All around the world, girls face challenges purely because of their age and gender. In many of the world's poorest places, the odds are stacked against them - especially when factors like ethnicity and disability exacerbate these disadvantages. From being denied an education, to being forced into child marriage, girls are too often denied the chance to live the lives they want.

This is why ActionAid runs child sponsorship programmes in countries around the world, to support girls to get a good education, nutritious food, clean water and the healthcare they need to grow and thrive.

How can I help?

One of the best ways to support a girl to get the education that she needs is to set up a sponsorship. Sponsoring a girl can help make sure she can go to school and get the support she needs to fulfil her potential.

How to invest in a better future for girls

Sponsor a girl for just 65p a day

Find out more about girls' education

Girls in traditional dress laughing and playing games outside a homestead during ActionAid's annual child message collection, in Semanzana.

We reflect on the enduring impact patriarchy has on girlhood

What is International Day of the Girl?

Day of the Girl is an occasion observed internationally to raise awareness of the obstacles that girls all over the world face and to celebrate and reinforce their achievements.

When is International Day of the Girl 2024 taking place?

International Day of the Girl takes place on 11th October every year.

Why do we celebrate International Day of the Girl?

We celebrate International Day of the Girl because girls face distinct disadvantages for being both young and female. Around 130 million girls around the world are out of school1 and less than 40% of countries provide girls and boys with equal access to education2 .

We believe that investing in girl's education not only equips girls with skills and knowledge to grow and prosper, but it helps their siblings, family, and the wider community to thrive as well.

Girls who stay in school are more likely to support themselves, look after their health, avoid early marriage and pregnancy and contribute to society.

One of the ways we support girls' right to education is through our child sponsorship work. Sponsoring a girl helps to pay for new school buildings, school fees and school supplies such as books and equipment.

Our approach is unique. We work directly with communities to help them create a better future for their children and themselves.

History of International Day of the Girl

International Day of the Girl was set as day of observance by the United Nations in 2012 and the first International Day of the Girl was held on 11th October 2012.

Its mission is “to help galvanise worldwide enthusiasm for goals to better girls’ lives, providing an opportunity for them to show leadership and reach their full potential.”

The day is marked to raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by girls and celebrates the inclusion of girls' rights as a distinct cohort in research, policy and development plans.

Up until recently international law and global development plans did not consider the nature of the added disadvantage girls face in realising their human rights, so Day of the Girl marks this important inclusion in human rights history every year.

Each year, International Day of the Girl has a distinct theme. The theme of International Day of the Girl 2024 is "Elevating girls' voices for sustainable development".

It is time for us all to stand accountable – with and for girls – and to invest in a future that believes in their agency, leadership and potential.

Footnotes

1https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/01/world-failing-130-million-girls-denied-education-un-experts
2http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/prizes-and-celebrations/celebrations/international-days/international-womens-day-2014/women-ed-facts-and-figure/

Top image: In Nepal, an ActionAid child sponsorship programme is helping girls in some of the poorest communities to go to school, like 10-year-old Sarita. Bahadur Sadaya/ActionAid

Page updated 4 September 2024