Back in 2011, the UN declared 11 October International Day Of The Girl – establishing a global initiative dedicated to promoting equality and advancing girls’ opportunities across the globe.
This year’s focus is ‘innovating for girls’ education’ - a subject particularly important to courageous education activist and recent Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Malala Yousafzai.
Intrigued? Wherever you are, you can show your support on social media right now. There’s a host of activity going on to mark the day…
– Sarah Brown’s charity, Theirworld, is encouraging people to sign the #UpForSchool petition – demanding world leaders make education for every girl and boy a priority, no matter where they are born. Why? Because around 31 million girls around the world are denied their right to education. And because educated girls are healthier, live longer, earn more, and are more likely to escape poverty and exploitation.
– Child marriage is an issue that made international headlines this week thanks to a wedding blog, allegedly authored by Norway’s first child bride, that went viral. Thankfully, it was a fake – part of a campaign by children’s development charity Plan International to highlight the shocking statistic that worldwide, a girl - sometimes as young as five - is forced into marriage every two seconds.
– Author and Plan UK ambassador Kathy Lette is involved in the #FaceUp to violence against girls campaign, also fronted by actress Natalie Dormer. Lette said: ‘I am sick of girls being runners up in the human race – the loss of potential is heart-breaking.’
More motivating material right this way: we’ve collated inspiring footage of brilliant women raising awareness about issues that effect girls and women.
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Malala Yousafzai addresses the United Nations Youth Assembly
‘Here I stand one girl among many. I speak not for myself, but so that those without voice can be heard. Those who have thought for their rights, their right to live in peace, their right to be treated with dignity, their right to equality of opportunity, their right to be educated.’
Emma Watson launches the UN’s #HeForShe campaign
‘Men – I would like to take this opportunity to extend your formal invitation. Gender equality is your issue too.’
UN special envoy, Angelina Jolie, delivers a speech at the Global Summit to end sexual violence
‘It is a myth that rape is an inevitable part of conflict. There is nothing inevitable about it. It is a weapon of war aimed at civilians - it has nothing to do with sex, everything to do with power.’
Victoria Beckham is named a UNAIDS international goodwill ambassador
‘I want to do whatever it is that I can to raise awareness. I would do anything for my children and I think every woman out there has the right to health and every woman has the right to give her children a healthy future.’
