International Day of the Girl Child

International Day of the Girl Child is an annual and internationally recognized observance on October 11 that empowers girls and amplifies their voices. Like its adult version, International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, International Day of the Girl Child acknowledges the importance, power, and potential of adolescent girls by encouraging the opening up of more opportunities for them. At the same time, this day is designated to eliminate gender-based challenges that little girls face around the world, including child marriages, poor learning opportunities, violence, and discrimination. To eliminate such discriminations Scholaroo has resources for scholarships from around the world for young girls to support their future.

The theme for this year’s aptly named “Day of the Girl Child” as it is also known, is “Digital generation. Our generation.” It provides a platform for the global community to understand the disadvantages girls face online. 2.2 billion people under the age of 25 do not have internet access, with the majority being girls. This day seeks to celebrate the lot of girls as compared to the role of boys in many cultures, where the male of our species has better access to education and opportunities by virtue of being male. One out of four girls is unemployed, uneducated, or untrained as compared to one in every ten boys, and these are worldwide statistical records. Although we have reached a point that we recognize this day as International Girls’ Day, much still needs to be done to improve lives for girls.