What to Read This International Day of the Girl

From barriers to breakthroughs, read how girls and women are rewriting the narrative.

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International Day of the Girl
(Image credit: ©Columbia Pictures new movie: Little Women (2019))

At Marie Claire UK, standing up for girls and women isn’t reserved for just one day — it’s a commitment we uphold all year long. From amplifying voices that challenge injustice to spotlighting trailblazers breaking barriers, we’re constantly championing progress, equality, and empowerment.

This International Day of the Girl, we’re revisiting some of the most powerful and important stories we’ve shared over the past 12 months — stories that have sparked conversation, inspired change, and reminded us why the fight for gender equality is far from over.

As research from Plan International reveals that a quarter of UK adults believe progress on gender equality is bad for men, we're reminded that while conversations around masculinity are growing — with 61% of young UK men engaging online — not all influence is positive. Harmful narratives still thrive, too often at the expense of women and girls: 31% of UK adults believe misogyny has increased in the past three years. Over half say legal protections for women have stalled or worsened. Nearly half feel that career opportunities for women are going backwards.

These stories are a reminder that progress is not promised — it must be protected, pushed for, and never taken for granted.

Read on for some of our top stories from the past year.

Mischa Anouk Smith
Mischa Anouk Smith
News and Features Editor

Mischa Anouk Smith is the News and Features Editor of Marie Claire UK, commissioning and writing in-depth features on culture, politics, and issues that shape women’s lives. Her work blends sharp cultural insight with rigorous reporting, from pop culture and technology to fertility, work, and relationships. Mischa’s investigations have earned awards and led to appearances on BBC Politics Live and Woman’s Hour. For her investigation into rape culture in primary schools, she was shortlisted for an End Violence Against Women award. She previously wrote for Refinery29, Stylist, Dazed, and Far Out.