International Day of the Girl Child 2024: Did you know that there are several states in India where girls are still struggling for their rights to education, life, and job opportunities? There are even some states where people find out the gender of the fetus and choose to abort if it’s a girl. To address these issues, on October 11th of each year, the world comes together to celebrate International Day of the Girl Child. This day is dedicated to highlighting the specific challenges girls face globally and advocating for their rights. It’s an important global moment to honour girls everywhere and amplify their voices, actions, and leadership. International Day of the Girl Child is for everyone who cares about girls and their rights. It’s a day for us to unite and advocate for the full spectrum of women’s rights.
Table of Contents
International Day of the Girl Child Overview
| Event Name | International Day of the Girl Child Also Called (International Day of the Girl, Day of Girls, Girl’s Day) |
| Type | International |
| Significance | Raising awareness of issues facing girls internationally, such as education, nutrition, forced child marriage, legal rights, and medical rights |
| Date | 11 October |
| Next time | 11 October 2024 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | 11 October 2012 |
History of International Day of the Girl Child 2024
This section provides information about International Girl Child Day, which has been known as International Girls’ Day since December 19, 2011. According to official information, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution designating October 11 as a day to honour girls. The Beijing Declaration, adopted in 1995 during the World Conference on Women in Beijing, was the first text to advocate for the rights of women and girls. It was the first blueprint in history to recognize the need to address the issues that young girls face around the world. The International Day of the Girl Child was established as part of the “Because I am a Girl” campaign by the global non-governmental organization Plan International.
Also Read: Role of NGO in Women Empowerment in India
International Girl Child Day 2024 Theme
As we know, you are waiting to learn about the theme of this special day. Under this section, you will be able to learn that the theme of the International Day of the Girl Child is ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future’.
This year’s theme represents both the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future.
Today’s generation of girls is disproportionately affected by global crises of climate, conflict, poverty and pushback on hard-won gains for human rights and gender equality. Too many girls are still denied their rights, restricting their choices and limiting their futures.
International Day of the Girl Child Each year’s Day theme
| Year | Theme |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Ending Child Marriage |
| 2013 | Innovating for Girls’ Education |
| 2014 | Empowering Adolescent Girls: Ending the Cycle of Violence |
| 2015 | The Power of Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030 |
| 2016 | Girls’ Progress = Goals’ Progress: What Counts for Girls |
| 2017 | EmPOWER Girls: Before, during and after crises |
| 2018 | With Her: A Skilled Girl Force |
| 2019 | GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable |
| 2020 | My voice, our equal future |
| 2021 | Digital generation. Our generation |
| 2022 | Our time is now — Our rights, Our future |
| 2023 | Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being |
Why do we Celebrate the Day?
In commemoration of girls’ rights and special challenges girls face in countries across the world, the United Nations General Assembly established October 11th as the International Day of the Girl Child. And so on this day, we draw attention to the need to address girls’ challenges, empower girls, and satisfy their human rights. Support for young girls, their training, and their full ability to make their voices and ideas heard help drive sustainable development and peace. Far too often around the globe, teenage girls have to leave school because of forced marriages or child labour.
International Day of Girl Child by UNESCO
As we mark the International Day of the Girl 2024, just twelve years since its founding, UNESCO celebrates the multifaceted ways in which girls change how we live and learn, and in which girls are becoming agents of advocacy for a fairer world. This year’s theme is “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” which empowers girls, amplifies their voices, and supports their agency in shaping strategies and policies that will ultimately bring all of us a brighter future. Despite this progress, 122 million girls remain out of school. Break the barriers and celebrate the laureates of the UNESCO Prize for Girls and Women’s Education in 2024 to empower girls around the world #BreaktheBarriers.
Also Read: Role of UNESCO in Education
International Day of Girl Child by UNICEF
In this section, you will able to learn the information about the International Day of Girl Child to UNICEF involvement and how UNICEF celebrate this special day.
Why girls’ rights?
Being a girl should not determine what you can do, where you can go, or who you might become. For millions of girls today, that is the reality. Too many are being left behind and confronted with extreme challenges – denying girls rights, restricting girls’ choices, and limiting girls’ futures.
Also Read: Role of UNICEF in Education
Some Facts
- Today, one in five young women aged between 20 and 24 years were married as children.
- Nearly one in four partnered/married adolescent girls have experienced sexual or physical abuse.
- Globally, 75% of new HIV infections among adolescents occur in girls.
- One in three adolescent girls suffers from anaemia, which is a form of malnutrition.
- Almost double the number of adolescent girls (one in four) compared to boys are not in any form of education, employment or training.
Source: UNICEF
Key Areas of NGO Involvement in Women’s Empowerment
- Promoting Access to Education and Skills Development
- Improving Healthcare and Reproductive Rights
- Fostering Economic Empowerment and Financial Inclusion
- Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Discrimination
- Amplifying Women’s Political Participation and Leadership
- Fostering Social and Cultural Transformation
NOTE: Wants to Learn more informarion abouts NGOs involement in Women’s Empowerment follow this link.
How You Can Help on International Day of Girl Child 2024?
Individuals also play an important role in making the world a better place for girls. You can support girls by:
- Donating to charities that focus on girls’ education, health, and rights.
- Volunteering with local or international organizations that support girls.
- Raising awareness about the challenges girls face and advocating for policies that protect and empower them.
- Mentoring young girls in your community, helping them realize their potential.
Conclusion
Celebrating this International Day of the Girl Child 2024 brings to mind the importance of recognising efforts toward empowering girls for a brighter future. Empowered girls translate to stronger, resilient, and even more just societies. This year, let us rededicate ourselves to ensure that every girl, whoever she is, wherever she is born, will have the chance to be all that she can be to shine like a star in her own light. Empowering girls will not simply be a future investment in the lives of individual girls but for the world at large. We will continue to be a loud voice advocating for their rights while providing them with resources and opportunities to succeed.
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