Day Of The Girl

International Day of the Girl History

International Day of the Girl is dedicated to promoting gender equality and the rights of young girls worldwide. This important annual event aims to raise awareness about the unique challenges and opportunities girls face in various aspects of their life, such as education, health, protection, and economic opportunities. In doing so, it seeks to empower girls to create a better future for themselves and their communities by increasing access to equal opportunities and fostering supportive environments in which they can learn, grow and thrive.

This significant observance was established on December 19, 2011, with the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 66/170. The United Kingdom has been an active advocate for gender equality and youth empowerment and has pursued various policies and programmes to promote this important global cause. In recent years, the UK Government has set in motion initiatives such as Girls' Education Challenge (GEC), which aims to improve the learning opportunities for marginalized girls in some of the world's poorest countries. Additionally, UK Aid supports projects that target gender-based violence, support adolescent girls in crisis situations, and promote equality through education.

In the United Kingdom, International Day of the Girl is commemorated with various events and initiatives organized by governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and civil society. These activities range from awareness campaigns, fundraising events, conferences, workshops, and online discussions focusing on addressing the needs and challenges faced by young girls both nationally and globally. International Day of the Girl is observed annually on October 11th, providing an opportunity for the UK to reaffirm its strong commitment to supporting and uplifting young girls, empowering them to reach their full potential and to actively contribute to a more just and equal society.

Facts about Day Of The Girl

• The theme for International Day of the Girl in 2025 was For ALL Women and Girls. In 2024 the theme was Girls'vision for the future. In 2023 was Invest in Girls' Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being.
• It is estimated that over 100 million women around the world are missing. Female infanticide and selective abortion are still commonly practiced in Asia and have led to uneven ratios of men and women all over Asia.
• There are some 650 million women alive today who were child brides.
• A survey by Girlguiding UK revealed that almost two out of three girls aged between 13 and 21 have experienced sexual harassment at school or college.
• The rates of depression and anxiety among teenage girls have risen by 75% in the past 25 years, according to a study by the UCL Institute of Education and the University of Liverpool.

In the News and Trending in the UK for Day Of The Girl

Top things to do in the UK for Day Of The Girl

• Get active for girls on social media. Use one of UNICEF's recommended social networking hashtags: #dayofthegirl, #mylifeat15, #girl4president and #girlhero!.
• Take out a girl in your life (your daughter, niece, granddaughter, family friend). Take her out to do her favorite activity on her special day.
• Engaging on social media platforms is a popular way to celebrate the International Day of the Girl. People in the United Kingdom actively participate in online campaigns by using hashtags, sharing empowering messages and stories, and spreading information about gender inequality issues.
• Panel discussions and talks featuring influential women and girls are organized to raise awareness of the challenges faced by girls and to promote gender equality. These sessions often cover topics such as education, women's rights, and career opportunities.