Get ready for 11th October as we celebrate International Day of the Girl
What is it?
International Day of the Girl is a UN initiative set up to promote the rights of girls around the world. Taking place every year on 11th October, it aims to highlight the realities of life as a girl across the globe and the challenges they face with regards to education, healthcare, child marriage, equal opportunity and sexual violence.
While not every girl in the world will face all of these challenges, but almost every girl will encounter at least one of them, which is why Day of the Girl is so important.
So what does Day of the Girl actually do?
Despite half the population being female, women experience discrimination on a daily basis due to gender inequality. Feeling it the most are the 1.1 billion girls in the world.
One in three girls in developing countries get married before the age of 18, which usually means that they miss out on education, a career and are more vulnerable to physical and sexual violence.
But by stopping this, it won’t only help girls but families and communities too. This year’s theme is Girls' Progress = Goals' Progress – a theme designed to highlight the fact that what is good for girls is also good for driving progress across society and ending poverty.
How do I get involved?
- Share the Light
Imagine not being allowed to go to school simply because you’re a girl. Well for 33 million girls, that’s a reality. And it shouldn’t be.
In a bid to help change this, Marie Claire have launched their #ShareTheLight – a campaign alongside international charity Plan International UK to help fund girls education worldwide.
As part of the campaign, Marie Claire has teamed up with L’Occitane to create a special scented candle where 100% of the profits from it sale will go to helping fund female education around the world.
A whole host of celebrities are already on board showing their support, from Gemma Chan to Edith Bowman, Izzy Bizu to Laura Whitmore.
So why not join them? All you need to do is head to L’Occitane, buy one of the Marie Claire candles and #ShareTheLight
- Spread the word
Since we all spend so much time on it anyway, one of the simplest ways to show your support is via social media. Whether you just want to raise awareness or send out a few words of inspiration, make sure you use the hash tag #DayoftheGirl to get your message seen.
Keep an eye out for #GirlsTakeover, Plan International’s hash tag for events across the world where politicians, CEOs and other leaders are having their positions taken over by girls for the day to prove they can change the world. Retweet them or share a post and you’ll be helping spread the word instantly.
- Get inspired
Malala Yousafzai
If you’re struggling to think of something to tweet to help spread the word, get into the spirit of the day with some of these inspirational reads.
Whether that’s brushing up on some of the most empowering quotes that make you feel proud to be a woman or hearing the most inspirational TED talks given by women, there’s plenty to help you figure out what it is you really want to say.
Our personal favourite? Those amazing quotes from Malala Yousafzai, the educational activist who won a Nobel Peace Prize aged just 17.
But of course, there are loads of other women to take your lead from, such as the countless inspirational women from history or all of those who are influencing the world today, such as the generation of Future Shapers – women who are changing the way we live through their individual talents.