Today, we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child!
The theme for 2024’s International Day of the Girl Child is 'Girls’ vision for the future’. UNICEF shares that “our theme reflects findings from UNICEF analysis, which shows that girls are not only courageous in the face of challenges, but hopeful for the future. Every day, they are taking action to realize a vision of a world in which all girls are protected, respected and empowered.
But girls cannot realize this vision alone. They need allies who listen to and respond to their needs.
Evidence shows that with the right support, resources and opportunities, the potential of the world’s more than 1.1 billion girls is limitless. And when girls lead, the impact is immediate and wide reaching: families, communities and economies are all stronger, our future brighter.”
The 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 suffer 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.
Urgent action is needed to drive progress with and for girls. Actively investing in girls’ futures is to invest in our own futures. Together, we can build a future in which every girl's rights are protected. For when girls achieve their goals, we all move closer to achieving our Global Goals.
Ways to get involved:
Share human interest stories, blogs and videos of girl changemakers, and the inspiring networks and organizations that are resourcing girls, letting girls lead, and strengthening services for girls. Let’s collectively amplify their leadership, actions, and impact to inspire others.
Engage government officials, policymakers and stakeholders to make more targeted investments that tackle inequalities experienced by girls, especially while accessing mental health and psychosocial support services in the face of conflict, forced migration, natural disasters, and the effects of climate change.
Engage key female influencers across industries to be the face of change we want girls to see as possible. Role models speak a thousand words. Let’s change the global conversation and public perception of girl leaders.
Amplify your commitment to raising awareness about and addressing factors that hold girls in your country and region back.
UNICEF shares that “girls are ready for a decade of acceleration forward. 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.”
A Call to Action:
Letting girls lead by putting girls in the forefront of change efforts, hearing their voices, responding to their asks, and welcoming them in decision-making spaces.
Resources for girls, including the networks and organizations that support their education and prioritize their mental and physical well-being.
Strengthening services for girls at all times but especially in crisis response and recovery
Here are 3 ways you can celebrate International Day of the Girl Child today:
1) Spend some time learning more about the issues facing girls around the world HERE
2) Donate to a nonprofit working to break down everyday barriers to education and empower girls! Some of our favorites are Days for Girls, Malala Fund, and Girls, Inc. What nonprofit organizations inspire you?
3) Inspire girls to BE and DO anything by introducing them to 9 fearless female role models who have changed the world. Download our FREE PAPER DOLLS featuring 9 women who have changed the world HERE.
At GIRLS CAN! CRATE, we believe that girls are powerful and the best way to change the world is to empower girls. On this day, we celebrate the strides made towards social justice and greater access to opportunity, we celebrate the female trailblazers and the pioneers who have overcome tremendous obstacles to change the world in every single field and show girls what is possible, and we celebrate every single girl who makes the world better just by being in it. Our hope is that in the years to come we can achieve a world in which girls can be girls fearlessly, and free of oppression, violence, and every other thing that would hold them back from reaching their full potential.
Happy International Day of the Girl Child from all of us at GIRLS CAN! CRATE!
GIRLS CAN! CRATE is a toolkit for future world changers 6-10 years old that inspires them to be and do anything by introducing fearless female role models. Together, we can show girls they can! Learn more at girlscancrate.com.