International Girl Child Day [11th October]

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Oct 10, 2022, 21:36

Instituted by the United Nations in 2012, International Girl Child Day is a special day observed on 11th October every year to raise awareness about gender-based discrimination and inequality faced by girls. As per numerous global reports and statistics, an alarming number of girls are victims of domestic violence, forced marriages, lack of education, and sexual violence. International Girl Child Day is an occasion to speak about the mentioned issues and the other numerous inequalities and discrimination that girl children face.

International Girl Child Day aims to raise awareness about the lack of access to education, health, nutrition, etc., for girls in an attempt to encourage people around the world to fight against these issues. Know more about the history, theme, and significance of this day here.

International Girl Child Day 2022

International Girl Child Day is a special day dedicated to discussing the challenges faced by girl children worldwide. It is observed on 11th October every year and was first declared by the United Nations in 2012. The aim of International Day of the Girl Child is to spread awareness about gender-based discrimination and inequality faced by girls. This year, the world will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the movement. Here are some details about this day:

Event Name

International Day of the Girl Child

Celebrated On

11th October every year

Established By

United Nations

International Girl Child Day 2022 Theme

Our time is now- our rights, our future.

Aim of the Celebration

To raise awareness about the discrimination and inequality faced by girl children and to encourage people to unite in fighting against these issues.

International Girl Child Day 2022 Theme

“Our time is now- our rights, our future” is the theme of International Girl Child Day 2022. This theme is a statement of assertion for girls around the world to claim their rights and their space in the world. The last 10 years of the International Day of the Girl Child movement led to countless voices being heard about the challenges that girls face in the world. This led to a wave of social, economic, and cultural changes demanded by girls and fulfilled by policymakers and governments. Here are the previous year's themes of Girl’s Day:

International Day of the Girl Child Theme

2012

Ending Child Marriage

2013

Innovating for Girls' Education

2014

Empowering Adolescent Girls: Ending the Cycle of Violence

2015

The Power of Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030

2016

Girls' Progress = Goals' Progress: What Counts for Girls

2017

EmPOWER Girls: Before, during and after crises

2018

With Her: A Skilled Girl Force

2019

GirlForce: Unscripted and unstoppable

2020

My voice, our equal future

2021

Digital generation. Our generation

History of International Day of the Girl Child

Plan International, an NGO operating worldwide, started the initiative to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child as part of its ‘Because I Am a Girl’ campaign. The target of this campaign was to amplify the cause of providing girls with a nurturing and supportive environment throughout their growing years.

Soon enough, Canada's Minister for the Status of Women, Rona Ambrose, proposed a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to celebrate International Girl Child Day. The UNGA accepted this resolution on 19th December 2011, and 11th October 2012 was celebrated as the first Girl’s Day.

Why is International Day of the Girl Child Important?

International Girl Child Day is significant because it is an occasion on which the cause of girl empowerment is highlighted. Here’s why it is important to observe this day:

  • A USAID report states that in 2014, 62 million girls around the world lived without access to education.
  • Worldwide reports suggest that girls between the ages of 5 to 14 spend a significantly large number of hours (160 hours) on household chores as compared to boys in the same age bracket.
  • Girl children are victims of sexual violence, domestic abuse, child marriage, and even forced pregnancy.

A large number of girls around the world face the above-mentioned and more issues, which challenge their growth, progress, and safety. International Day of the Girl Child can be an opportunity to support the victims around you or to amplify the need to support the cause.

How Can You Participate in International Girl Child Day?

The United Nations aims to encourage individuals, communities, and governments around the world to participate in the International Girl Child Day observance. Here is how you can participate in the movement:

  • Educate yourself and others about the discrimination and inequalities that girls face.
  • Reach out to victims of neglect, abuse, and violence, and support them.
  • Donte to NGOs that believe in the cause of women empowerment.
  • Participate in or host talk sessions about International Day of the Girl Child.
  • Share your story and experiences with the world.

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FAQs on International Girl Child Day

Q1. When is International Girl Child Day celebrated?

International Girl Child Day is celebrated on 11th October every year. This day is observed to unite world leaders, governments, and individuals in fighting against the injustice, inequality, and discrimination faced by girl children. International Girl Child Day was first celebrated in 2012.

Q2. What is the theme of International Girl Child Day 2022?

The International Girl Child Day 2022 theme is “Our time is now- our rights, our future.” Every year, the United Nations announces a unique theme for the celebrations. This year’s theme is an assertive statement for every girl child on claiming their rights and making the future theirs.

Q3. Why is International Girl Child Day celebrated?

Girls around the world continue to face discrimination based on their gender. They are denied access to education; they are the worst sufferers of sexual and domestic violence, and also lack access to nutrition and health. On the professional front, they receive low wages. International Girl Child Day is observed to spread awareness about these issues.

Q4. What is the history of International Girl Child Day?

International Day of the Girl Child began as a part of an NGO, Plan Initiative’s ‘Because I Am a Girl’ campaign. The campaign was picked up by the United Nations, which declared International Girl Child Day to be celebrated on every 11th October.

Q5. What was the theme of International Day of the Girl Child 2021?

The International Girl Child Day 2021 theme was "Digital generation. Our generation.” This theme was announced keeping in mind the importance of digital literacy and practices in the current times. The International Girl Child Day theme for 2021 aimed to call for access to equal digital literacy.