International Day of the Girl
In December of 2011, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared October 11 as International Day of the Girl.
Since then, October 11 has been honored around the world as a monumental day to call attention to the injustices that young girls experience across the globe while also celebrating the achievements and progress made to advance gender equality.
While it may seem easy to grasp the meaning behind International Day of the Girl, it’s important to understand the full context. There are 1.1 billion girls in the world. That means 1.1 billion minds of intelligence, hearts of compassion, and lives of potential. However, lack of opportunity, inadequate investment, and inequality create a world in which girls are deprived of their basic human rights and a world that never really reaches its full potential because of it.
According to the United Nations, 12 million girls will be married before the age of 18, and 21 million will be pregnant as teens in developing countries. Millions of other young girls will be denied access to education, technology, healthcare, and basic fairness and rights in day-to-day life. These issues, among others, stand at the forefront of what International Day of the Girl was designed to bring attention to with the belief that awareness, advocacy, and action can create change.
Although there are still significant strides to be made to improve the livelihood and rights of girls, movements like International Day of the Girl make a significant difference, and there are numerous ways Soroptimists can get involved to help empower girls everywhere. This year’s theme for the special day is “My Voice, Our Equal Future.” Let’s seize the opportunity to be inspired by what adolescent girls see as the change they want and the solutions they are leading and demanding across the globe.
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Pledge to host a Dream It, Be It workshop for girls! We believe that girls can be anything they dream, sometimes they just need someone to show them the way. That’s where you come in! By hosting a Dream It, Be It event, you can reach girls in secondary school who face obstacles to their future success. Soroptimists can directly impact the lives of young girls when they invest in helping them set and achieve their dreams.
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Show your support by sending a motivational message to girls! By sending a message of encouragement to girls in our Dream It, Be It mentoring program, you remind them that their hopes—and struggles—are valid. Show these girls that there are people who believe in their power. Offer a kind word of advice or simply share an inspiring quote you love.
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Shop to support our work for girls! These items are designed to help make your Dream It, Be it events extra special, and they make meaningful gifts for friends and family! From bracelets to pocket folders to pens – your purchases will help change lives. Plus, proceeds will support our work to provide opportunities that empower girls around the world.