International Day of the Girl Child - History, Theme, Importance, and Call for Action

International Day of the Girl Child

1. When and Why Do We Celebrate International Day of the Girl Child?

The United Nations has declared October 11 to be the International Day of the Girl Child, also known as the International Day of Girls and the Day of Girls. The first Day of the Girl Child was held on October 11, 2012. The commemoration encourages greater possibilities for girls and raises awareness of the gender inequity that girls suffer around the world depending on their gender.

Access to healthcare, legal protections, nutrition, education, and protection against violence against women and child marriage are all included in this imbalance. A further reason for the celebration is that it "reflects the successful emergence of girls and young women as a separate cohort in development policy, programming, advocacy, and research."
2. A Brief History of the International Day of the Girl Child

In the United Nations General Assembly, Canada formally proposed the International Day of Girls as a resolution. An initiative by women and girls was supported by a delegation of women and girls at the 55th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, sponsored by Canada's Minister for Women, Rona Ambrose. The General Assembly of the United Nations voted on December 19, 2011, to declare October 11, 2012 as the first International Day of Girls.
3. International Day of the Girl Child Theme

Every year, the Day of Girls celebrates a different theme. Here are the themes for International Day of Girls over the years -
  • Theme of The International Day of the Girl Child 2022: Our time is now - our rights, our future
  • Theme of The International Day of the Girl Child 2021: Digital Generation
  • Theme of The International Day of the Girl Child 2020: My voice, our equal future
  • Theme of The International Day of the Girl Child 2019: GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable
  • Theme of The International Day of the Girl Child 2018: With Her: A Skilled Girl Force
  • Theme of The International Day of the Girl Child 2017: Empower Girls: Before, during and after crises
  • Theme of The International Day of the Girl Child 2016: Girls' Progress = Goals' Progress: What Counts for Girls
  • Theme of The International Day of the Girl Child 2015: The Power of Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030
  • Theme of The International Day of the Girl Child 2014: Empowering Adolescent Girls: Ending the Cycle of Violence
  • Theme of The International Day of the Girl Child 2013: Innovating for Girls' Education
  • Theme of The International Day of the Girl Child 2012: Ending Child Marriage
4. Significance/Importance of International Day of the Girl Child

Calling for the rights of young girls who are oppressed worldwide in silence is a remarkable step, especially in the midst of the celebrations of Father's Day, Mother's Day, and even Women's Day. We get to recognise the ladies who make the world a better place on this day. A woman with education and skills is much more likely to reduce infant mortality than an uneducated, unskilled, or socially mistreated woman, and contribute to society in a greater way.

Gender-based oppression and discrimination are threateningly pervasive in every society, particularly in developing nations, due to deeply ingrained problems and harmful mindsets that have been passed down through generations. The goal of the International Day of the Girl Child is to end the dreadful situations that young girls face all around the world.

Every person's life must pass through a crucial period throughout adolescence. Being kind to girls when they are young benefits everyone since it shapes the course of their lives. Giving them power while they are still young and susceptible will enable them to develop into emancipated, sage women in the future. As a society, we all benefited by this.

The adoption of all efforts to support girls has been a direct result of raising awareness in society. The international observance of this day provides the disadvantaged girls with a platform from which to speak out in favour of equal rights, access to education, and health care. They can use it as a platform to discuss the abuse they experience and make demands to put an end to it. Their growth and freedom from this disparity will be aided by our efforts to give them a voice.
5. Call for Action on International Day of Girl Child by UNICEF

Adolescent girls' leadership in the vanguard of change initiatives should be encouraged, in part by listening to their requests and creating welcoming environments for their participation in decision-making.

Boosting funding and commitments to adolescent girls, particularly for networks and organisations that promote inclusive, high-quality education and give them a high priority.

Increasing access to and utilisation of inclusive, teenage girls-focused services at all times, but especially during times of crisis and recovery.
6. Beijing Declaration and The Platform for Action for Girls

The most forward-thinking plan yet for strengthening the rights of not only women but also girls is the Platform for Action and Beijing Declaration. The Platform for Action continues to be a strong base for evaluating gender equality progress even after nearly 25 years have passed.

It advocates for a world in which every girl and woman can exercise all of her rights, including the freedom from violence, the ability to go to and finish education, the ability to decide when and with whom to marry, and the ability to get equal compensation for equivalent work. The Platform for Action expressly requests that the international community -
  • Get rid of any discrimination against girls.
  • Eliminate harmful cultural beliefs and behaviours that are directed toward girls.
  • In order to better understand girls' needs and potential, it is important to promote and preserve their rights.
  • Stop discriminating against girls in the areas of skill acquisition and training.
  • Stop discriminating against girls in terms of diet and health.
  • End the commercialization of child labour and safeguard young women in the workplace.
  • Eliminate girl-on-girl violence.
  • Encourage girls to get involved in political, economic, and social life.
  • Improve the status of girls by enhancing the family's role in society.


International Day of the Girl Child   History of the International Day of the Girl Child   Intenational Girls Day   Girls Day   International Day of the Girl Child Theme   Importance of International Day of the Girl Child   Call for Action   Beijing Declaration   the Platform for Action for Girls  


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