Girls in classroom in Mali

International Day of the Girl

11 October

On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly , to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.

The International Day of the Girl focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

Girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during their formative years, but also as they mature into women. If effectively supported and educated, girls have the potential to change the world – both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, political leaders, and mothers. An investment in realising the power of girls upholds their rights today and promises a more equitable and prosperous future, one in which half of humanity is an equal partner in solving the problems of climate change, political conflict, economic growth, disease prevention, and global sustainability.

Young girl, youth
Schoolgirls Education

"Even without legal barriers, many structural factors can hinder girls’ education, development and civic participation. To achieve gender equality in education across the globe, we must sustain our efforts, equipping girls with tools and fostering environments conducive to their success."

UNESCO Director-General
Audrey AzoulayDirector-General of UNESCO
  • Download the complete message:  -  - -  -  - 

Celebrations in 2024

As we celebrate the 2024 International Day of the Girl, twelve years since its inception, UNESCO honours the many ways girls transform how we live, learn and advocate for a just world. 

This year’s theme, “Girls’ vision for the future,” seeks to empower girls, amplify their voices and support their agency to shape strategies and policies that ensure a better future for us all. Despite progress, 122 million girls remain out of school. UNESCO calls for breaking barriers, especially in STEM fields, and celebrates the 2024 UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women’s Education laureates, recognizing their vital role in empowering girls globally. 

#HerEducationOurFuture

Girls’ vision of the future of education

Despite progress, 122 million girls remain out of school. This video is inspired by the 2024 International Day of the Girl’s theme, “Girls’ vision for the future” and a compilation of girls’ voices around the world answering: What would an ideal school look like for a girl like you in the future?