Every year on October 11, the International Day of the Girl, UNICEF launches an annual campaign with girls to amplify their voices and stand up for their rights. This year, under the theme “My voice, our equal future”, the UN wants everybody to listen to what change girls want to see.

Background

25 years ago, the World Conference on Women in Beijing countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The Declaration is the first to specially call out girls’ rights, making it the most accelerating blueprint for the rights of girls.

Then, the United Nations General Assembly, on December 19, 2011, adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child.

Significance

This day is in place to recognise girls’ rights and the challenges they face. October 11 is observed to promote girls’ empowerment and ‘fulfillment of their human rights’.

The UN believes that girls have the potential to change the world if they are ably supported during the adolescent years. This would empower them to be workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders.

The day is a step towards “realising their capabilities and upholding their rights, with promises of a prosperous future”.

According to the website of the UN, the 2020 International Day of the Girl 2020 will focus on their demands of:

1. Live free from gender-based violence, harmful practices, and HIV and AIDS.

2. Learn new skills towards the futures they choose.

3. Lead as a generation of activists accelerating social change.