International Day of the Girl Child

October 11, Friday

International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated annually on October 11. This day was established by the UN in 2011 to draw attention to the problems girls face around the world and to promote their rights.

History and goals of the holiday
The idea of creating International Day of the Girl Child arose within the framework of the movement for gender equality. Women and girls in many countries face discrimination and restrictions throughout their lives. Girls are especially vulnerable to early marriage, violence, lack of access to education and health care. In 2011, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to allocate a special day to draw the attention of the world community to these problems.

Problems girls face
Despite progress in the field of human rights, girls around the world still face numerous difficulties:

Lack of access to education. According to UNICEF, millions of girls around the world are deprived of access to quality education. This is especially true in regions where poverty and gender stereotypes prevail. Girls are often forced to interrupt their education due to early marriage, family support or the lack of schools in their area.

Early marriage and pregnancy. In many countries, especially in developing regions, girls are married at an early age, which leads to numerous risks to their health, education and future. Early marriage often leads to early pregnancy, which can cause serious harm to a young girl’s health and social status.

Violence and exploitation. Girls are especially vulnerable to various types of violence: physical, sexual, psychological. Exploitation in child labor, forced labor and gender-based violence continue to be significant problems on a global scale.

Lack of access to health care. In developing countries, girls often do not receive adequate health care, especially in matters related to reproductive health. This is also due to limited access to health information, which is essential for their well-being.

Gender inequality and discrimination. In many societies, girls face discrimination due to outdated cultural and social norms. They may be hindered in their career choices or aspirations, face unequal pay, and face challenges in realizing their rights.

Each year, International Day of the Girl Child has a theme that addresses specific issues related to girls’ rights. For example, previous themes have included combating violence against girls, promoting their education, and promoting their health.

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International Day of the Girl Child in other years

2021 October 11, Monday
2022 October 11, Tuesday
2023 October 11, Wednesday
2025 October 11, Saturday

International Day of the Girl Child in other countries