PURPOSE: On December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare 11 October as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. The Day focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. Girls are leaders. Girls are change-makers. Adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years, but also as they mature into women. If effectively supported during the adolescent years, 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 adolescent 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. Girls are driving good and growth around the world. They are a fundamental source of transformational change for gender equality, and technology is a crucial tool to support their work, activism and leadership.

FORUM: "Girls’ vision for the future." International Day of the Girl 2024. This year’s theme conveys both the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future. Today’s generation of girls is disproportionately affected by global crises of climate, conflict, poverty and pushback on hard won gains for human rights and gender equality. Too many girls are still denied their rights, restricting their choices and limiting their futures. Yet, recent analysis shows that girls are not only courageous in the face of crisis, but hopeful for the future. Every day, they are taking action to realize a vision of a world in which all girls are protected, respected and empowered. But girls cannot realize this vision alone. They need allies who listen to and respond to their needs.  With the right support, resources and opportunities, the potential of the world’s more than 1.1 billion girls is limitless. And when girls lead, the impact is immediate and wide reaching: families, communities and economies are all stronger, our future brighter. It is time to listen to girls, to invest in proven solutions that will accelerate progress towards a future in which every girl can fulfil her potential. Together with state governments and civil society partners, the UNICEF envisions a world where girls have space to shape government policy and spending to inform the rules and norms by which businesses should operate, and to direct the priorities for new research and innovations. These examples should not be novelties, but the norm. Participate to the IDG global platform to advocate for the full spectrum of girls’ rights. Follow the conversation with the hashtags:#IDG2024, #DayoftheGirl, #IDGxWGG, #GirlsRightsNow, #11DaysofAction, #GirlsVision4Future #ActionforGirlsRights #GirlchildDay, #11october, #InternationalDayoftheGirlChild.

EVENTS: The year 2024 marks the 12th edition of the International Day of the Girl. In these last 10 years, there has been increased attention on issues that matter to girls amongst governments, policymakers and the general public, and more opportunities for girls to have their voices heard on the global stage. In recognition of the gaps in the full realization and protection of girls' rights, and in light of commitments made for girls in the Beijing Platform for Action's landmark Section L- The Girl-Child almost 30 years ago, this year's event will focus on the theme of Girls' Vision for the Future. The Programme will start with an Artistic Performance organized by the Step Team from Boerum Hill School for International Studies, followed by the Welcome & Opening remarks. During the Townhall Part I entitled ‘‘Girl Advocates’’ panelists will discuss on: 1. How can girls in all their diversity be encouraged and included to participate in all aspects of society, including education, economic opportunities, and civic engagement. 2. What practical measures can be implemented to ensure the safety and wellbeing of girls both online and offline? and "3. How can mental health education and support for girls become a global priority for governments?. During the Townhall Part II - Several Open questions from the floor will be answered. The event will end with Closing Remarks and Videos from panelists. Contributing to the collective path forward to ensure all girls everywhere are able to thrive, this year's Girls' Speak Out at UNHQ will provide an opportunity for girls to hold direct dialogue with Member States and UN Agencies through a girl-led town hall discussion hosted by the Working Group on Girls and Sponsoring Partners: The Permanent Mission of Canada, The Permanent Mission of Türkiye, The Permanent Mission of Perú, UNFPA, UNICEF, and UN Women. Watch the Livestream!

On October 11th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 am in the Conference room 6 at the UNHQ; The United Nations General Assembly will held a high level side-event entitled ‘‘Existing and Emerging Sexually Exploitative Practices against Children in the Digital Environment” as part of its 79th session. This event will focus on new and emerging risks to children in the digital environment and the role artificial intelligence plays in both exacerbating these risks as well as facilitating the investigation of sexually exploitative practices against children.The event will seek to provide an overview of recent trends and developments in sexually exploitative practices against children in the digital environment, spotlight the key challenges posed by AI and related technologies, as well as its positive potential to combat the trends of child sexual abuse and exploitation. The event will also serve to formally introduce the report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children on "Existing and Emerging Sexually Exploitative Practices against Children in the Digital Environment". Key findings and recommendations from this report will be highlighted, and complemented with a multi-stakeholder panel discussion on better understanding the impact of technological advancements on child protection in the digital space. The Organizers are: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations. Watch the livestream!

WEBINAR: On October 11th, to observe the International Day of the Girl Child 2024, a webinar will be organized by girl-led communities to focus on opportunities for improving resourcing to girls and the issues that affect them. Participants will be able to review the 9 strategic objectives of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women for the Girl child. We hope you will be able to join us wherever you are, with and for girls.

INITIATIVES: UNICEF and partners call for a $1 billion increase in investments for adolescent girls. Targeted and evidence-based investments in key areas that promote girls’ leadership and well-being are needed to secure their rights and development – in every setting and context. It is imperative to increase funding in key areas, including girls' health, education, violence prevention, and economic empowerment. Such investments represent a critical step to realize girls’ rights under the Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Moreover, the international community will not meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their targets without investing in adolescent girls who, when supported, deliver returns and powerful change for girls themselves, their families, communities and societies.

STATEMENT: Read the Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day of the Girl Child 2024; October 11th.