Day of the girl 2022

International Day of the Girl

 

How to invest in a better future for girls

Sponsor a girl

Sponsor a girl for just 65p a day

Sponsor a girl for just 65p a day

Find out more about girls' education

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

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