Today, we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child!
This year, the theme for International Day of the Girl Child is "Our time is now—our rights, our future.” This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Day of the Girl. Given the anniversary and the focus, “in these last 10 years, there has been increased attention on issues that matter to girls amongst governments, policymakers and the general public, and more opportunities for girls to have their voices heard on the global stage. Yet, investments in girls’ rights remain limited and girls continue to confront a myriad of challenges to fulfilling their potential; made worse by concurrent crises of climate change, COVID-19 and humanitarian conflict. Girls around the world continue to face unprecedented challenges to their education, their physical and mental wellness, and the protections needed for a life without violence. COVID-19 has worsened existing burdens on girls around the world and worn away important gains made over the last decade.”
Nearly 1 in 4 girls aged 15–19 globally are not in education, employment or training, compared to 1 in 10 boys.
Girls are primarily victims of sexual exploitation (72% of detected girl victims), while boys are mainly subjected to forced labour (66% of detected boy victims).
Up to 10 million girls will be at risk of child marriage. The profound effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are putting girls at higher risk of early marriage due to a combination of economic shocks, school closures and interruptions in reproductive health services. Source: un.org.
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 breakdown 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 5-10 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.