Girls have every right to have a healthy, safe and educated life, not only during their initial years, but also as they mature. To educate people about it, the International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated on October 11 every year. The day promotes awareness about the potential of girls as the future of our society and encourages individuals to become change agents and empower girls.

The International Day of the Girl Child also aims to raise awareness about the issues women face across the world and to work towards an action-oriented strategy to help them. On this occasion, let’s take a look at the history, significance, theme, wishes and quotes related to this special day.

International Day of the Girl Child 2024 Theme

The theme for the International Day of the Girl Child 2024 is – ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future.’ This year’s theme conveys both the need for immediate action and persistent hope, inspired by the vision of girls for the future and the power of their voices.

The International Day of the Girl Child 2024 is the time to listen to girls and invest in proven solutions that can accelerate progress towards a future in which every girl may fulfil her potential.

International Day of the Girl Child: Wishes

• May the dreams and aspirations of every girl be nurtured and supported.
• Education is the key to unlocking the golden door of freedom. Give it to your daughter. To fly high in the open sky… Happy International Day of Girl Child!
• Wishing for a society that values and respects the rights of every girl child.
• We want a mother, we want a wife, we want a sister—then why don’t we want a girl child? Save the Girl Child. Happy International Day of Girl Child!
• May this world become a safer and happier place for the girl children to live happily. Warm wishes on International Girl Child Day 2024.
• The world will be a better place to live the day a girl child is as happy as the other gender. Let us work in synergy to make this dream come true. Happy International Day of the Girl Child!
• An educated woman has the power to educate the whole family. Empower the girl child!!!
• Blessed are those parents who are gifted with a girl child who is a bundle of joy and a ray of hope.
• Let us make this International Day of the Girl Child more meaningful by giving the girl child a safe world to live in.
• On this International Day of the Girl Child, let us take the responsibility to give girls the importance they deserve and work together for their happier lives.

International Day of the Girl Child: Quotes

• “The girl child has by far left behind the boy child because the girl child is aggressive, very aggressive.”–Victor Manan Nyambala
• “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.”–Margaret Thatcher.
• “If you really want to fly, just harness your power to your passion. Honour yourEverybody has one. Trust your heart, and success will come to you.”–Oprah Winfrey.
• “All girls know that they can be anything now. That transformation is to be one of the most satisfying things.”–Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
• “My mother always told me, ‘hide your face, people are looking at you. I would reply, ‘it does not matter; I am also looking at them’.”–Malala Yousafzai.
• “When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous.”–Michelle Obama
• “Girls are capable of doing everything men are capable of doing. Sometimes they have more imagination than men.”– Catherine Johnson.
• “To all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful, and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.”– Hillary Clinton.
• “A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim.”–Maya Angelou.
• “She makes the day brighter. She leaves a little sparkle wherever she goes.”–Kate Spade.

International Day of the Girl Child: History

At the World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for the first time in history. This plan was the most progressive blueprint ever proposed for advancing the rights of not only women but girls. The Beijing Declaration is the first to precisely call out girls’ rights, according to the United Nations.

Later, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 and declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child on December 19, 2011. The day brings attention to the need to address the challenges girls face around the world and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

In 2012, the inaugural International Day of the Girl Child was commemorated to emphasise the need to stop child marriages.

International Day of the Girl Child: Significance

If girls are supported and educated effectively, they have the potential to change the world and turn into mentors, household heads, entrepreneurs, political leaders and mothers in the future.

This day is dedicated to raising awareness about this power of girls and promising them a more equitable and prosperous future, one in which half of humanity is an equal partner in solving the issues of climate change, disease prevention, political conflict, economic growth and global sustainability, said the United Nations.