International Day of the Girl Child: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about International Day of the Girl Child (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. International Day of the Girl Child is observed on October 11th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of International Day of the Girl Child, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as captivating facts you might want to know about International Day of the Girl Child.

📅 What day is International Day of the Girl Child 2024?

In 2024, International Day of the Girl Child is on Wednesday, October 11th. It is the 2nd Wednesday in October; in 2024, it is Friday. There are until the next observance. You also can explore all the fun details and facts about October 11, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

The International Day of the Girl Child is a yearly event on October 11 that celebrates and empowers girls worldwide. Similar to International Women’s Day on March 8, it acknowledges the significance and potential of teenage girls and advocates for increased opportunities for them. The day aims to address gender-based challenges that young girls face globally, including child marriage, limited education opportunities, violence, and bias. Scholaroo provides information on scholarships for young women from around the globe, helping to combat discrimination and support their future.

📜 International Day of the Girl Child History

The Beijing Declaration, which was issued in 1995 at the World Conference on Women in Beijing, was a groundbreaking document that advocated for the rights of women and girls. It was the first global blueprint to recognize the importance of addressing the challenges faced by adolescent females worldwide.

The International Day of the Child originated from Plan International’s “Because I am a Girl” campaign. Plan International is a non-governmental organization that operates in over 70 countries. In 2007, they launched a campaign to raise awareness about the need to support girls, especially in impoverished nations. The campaign aimed to promote girls’ rights and lift them out of poverty. During this campaign, the idea of an International Day of the Girl Child was conceived and eventually gained support from the Canadian government and the United Nations.

During the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing, countries developed an action plan to strengthen women’s rights and protect the future of young girls. This gained momentum through the efforts of organizations like Plan International. Canada played a key role in advocating for the adoption of this plan as a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly. As a result, on December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution designating October 11, 2012, as the first International Day of the Girl Child. This day initially focused on the issue of child marriages and has since been celebrated annually with different themes highlighting the challenges girls face.

This decision recognizes the importance of empowering girls and acknowledges their role in economic progress. It emphasizes the need for girls to have a say in decisions that affect their lives, in order to break the cycle of discrimination and abuse and empower them to become strong, liberated women in the future.

✅ International Day of the Girl Child Facts

🔖 HIV is prevalent among girls
Each year, approximately 340,000 girls and young women contract the virus, while over 3 million girls and young women across the globe are currently living with HIV.

🔖 Girls think husbands are entitled to beat wives
Nearly half of teenage girls, specifically 44% of those between the ages of 15 and 19, think it is permissible for a husband to mistreat his wife.

🔖 Little girls become brides at a young age
Every single day, more than 33,000 young girls are forced into marriages worldwide.

👍 Why Is International Day of the Girl Child Important

Calling up for the rights of tiny girls who are silently mistreated across the world is an incredible move in the midst of the clamor of Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and even Women’s Day. On this day, we celebrate the ladies that brighten up our lives. It should be noted that an educated and talented woman is significantly more successful in minimizing infant mortality, is proven to take better care of the home, and hence contributes more to society than an ignorant, unskilled, and socially mistreated woman.

Gender-based discrimination and oppression are threateningly widespread in every home, particularly in developing nations, due to deeply ingrained difficulties and harmful beliefs that have been passed down through generations. The International Day of the Girl Child aims to end the dreadful plight of young girls across the world.

Adolescence is a crucial time in everyone’s life. It defines the course of a girl’s life, which is why caring for females in their youth helps everyone. They can develop into emancipated, intelligent women of the future if they are empowered at a vulnerable age. We all benefit as a society. All measures to foster females have directly resulted from increased societal awareness. Internationally, commemorating this day provides a forum for poor girls to raise their voices and seek equal rights, education, and health. It provides them with a platform to express their outrage at the brutality they face and to call for a stop to the cruelty. Our efforts to raise their voices will assist them in growing and breaking free from this inequity.

🙂 How To Observe International Day of the Girl Child

⚡ Participate in a girls’ empowerment campaign
It is important for strong and disciplined men to support and guide young girls as they grow into women. I encourage you to actively participate with your daughters in raising awareness about gender inequality and violence.

⚡ Actively participate in the theme
Each year, the International Day of the Child focuses on a particular theme. Find out what this year’s theme is and join in by launching social media campaigns using the hashtag #BrighterFutureForGirls.

⚡ Make the girls around you feel special!
What is the importance of showing appreciation and making the women in our lives feel valued on occasions like their birthdays or other special dates? Take the opportunity to express gratitude and empower the young girls in your life, such as your adolescent daughter or sister, by giving them a meaningful gesture or supporting them in any way possible.

📅 When is International Day of the Girl Child?

Explore all 🔗 October holidays, including 🔗 Relationship and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

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