International Day of the Girl Child 2024; October 11th.

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: #GirlchildDay, #11october, #InternationalDayoftheGirlChild.

EVENT: 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 International Day of the Girl event will focus on the theme of Girls' Vision for the Future. 

Agenda Programme
Artistic Performance - Step Team from Boerum Hill School for International Studies
Welcome & Opening
Townhall Part I - Girl Advocates 

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?
3. How can mental health education and support for girls become a global priority for governments?

Townhall Part II - Open questions from the floor
Closing Remarks and Video

Contributing to the collective path forward to ensure all girls everywhere are able to thrive, the 2024 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!

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

The potential of the world’s more than 1.1 billion girls is limitless. But as we creep closer to the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals, the world continues to fail girls.

Girls account for more than 70 percent of new adolescent HIV infections. They are almost twice as likely as boys to miss out on education or training. And child marriage remains widespread, with approximately one in five girls globally married before the age of 18. Across the world, hard-won gains for gender equality are being erased by a war on the fundamental rights of women and girls, endangering their lives, restricting their choices, and limiting girls’ futures.

The theme of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child is ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future’.

Girls already have a vision of a world where they can thrive. They are working to turn that vision into action, and demanding their voices be heard. It is high time we listened. We must provide girls with a seat at the table, through education, and by giving them the resources they need and opportunities to participate and lead.

The courage, hope and determination of girls are a force to be reckoned with. It is time for the world to step up and help transform their vision and aspirations into reality.


António Guterres

LIVESTREAM:  Girls' Vision for the Future - International Day of the Girl 2024.