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: “We are Here: Bold, Diverse, and Unstoppable – DemandingAction for Girls’ Rights.” International Day of the Girl Child 2025. The discussion will focus on key issues affecting girls, such as their participation in social and political life, their education, eliminating all forms of violence and discrimination against them, championing their leadership in the climate crisis, and financing for the realization of their rights. As we honor the 30th anniversaries of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action and of the World Programme of Action for youth, these engagements are the basis of a crucial movement toward the equality and empowerment of young women and girls. Girls Speak Out 2025 is not only a celebration, but also a policy platform. It is where commitments are made, heard, and expected to be fulfilled. Let’s go beyond recognition to real action. Let’s ensure that when girls speak, the world doesn’t just listen—it respond. Follow the conversation with the hashtags:#IDG2024, #DayoftheGirl, #IDGxWGG, #GirlsRightsNow, #11DaysofAction, #GirlsVision4Future #ActionforGirlsRights #GirlchildDay, #11october, #InternationalDayoftheGirlChild.

EVENTS: On October 10th, starting from 10:30am- 12:30pm EST at the ECOSOC Chamber in UNHQ New York, New York; As we commemorate International Day of the Girl 2025, we affirm that progress for girls must be led by girls. Under the theme: "We are here: Bold, Diverse, and Unstoppable - Demanding Action for Girls' Rights," this year's Girls Speak Out will highlight both the challenges girls face and the leadership, resilience, and solutions they bring forward. Hosted by the Working Group on Girls (WGG) and global partners, this 2-hour advocacy focused event is co-designed and co-led by girls. It brings together girl leaders, Member States, UN agencies, and civil society actors in a hybrid, intergenerational dialogue grounded in shared accountability and transformative action. Girls Speak Out 2025 is not only a celebration, but also a policy platform. It is where commitments are made, heard, and expected to be fulfilled. Let’s go beyond recognition to real action. Let’s ensure that when girls speak, the world doesn’t just listen—it responds. The event will include an intergenerational townhall consisting of two panels: “Girls on the Frontline of Crisis – Protection, Peace and Power” and “From Margins to Power – Girls Defying Discrimination and Reclaiming Identity.” The speaker are: • H.E. Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly • H.E. Gustavo Lino Adrianzén Olaya, Permanent Representative of Peru to the UN • H.E. Maritza Chan, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the UN • H.E. Michael Gort, Deputy Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN • H.E. Aslı Güven, Deputy Permanent Representative of Türkiye to the UN • Ms. Lauren Rumble, Associate Director, Gender Equality, UNICEF • Ms. Lopa Banerjee, Director, Civil Society Division, UN Women • Ms. Cecile Mazzacurati, Gender Advisor, Programme Liaison Branch, UNFPA • Girl moderators 

RUN-OF-SHOW:  (10:30 – 10:55) Opening Segment including a dance performance from the Greek American Folklore Society.  10:55 – 11:30: Panel 1: Girls on the Frontline of Crisis – Protection, Peace, and Power  11:30 – 12:00: Panel 2: From Margins to Power – Girls Defying Discrimination and Reclaiming Identity  12:00 – 12:30: Reflections and Recommitment
Read the Concept note and Watch Girls' Speak Out - 2025 International Day of the Girl!

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 2025; October 11th.