October 11 - International Girl Child Day 2019

The International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated annually on 11th October. The main aims of the day are to promote girl's basic human rights.

October 11 - International Girl Child Day 2019
International Girl Child Day 2019 Theme

Since 2012, each and every year International Girl Child Day which is also pronounced as International Day of the Girl Child has been observed annually on 11 October. This particular day is commemorated to highlight and address the requirements and challenges faced by girls throughout their life while endorsing girls' empowerment and the fulfillment of their basic human rights.

International Girl Child Day 2019

How does the International Day of the Girl Child work?

Each year a different theme is created to help create a focal point for the campaign.

International Day of the Girl themes:

2012 – ‘Ending Child Marriage’
2013 – ‘Innovating for Girl’s Education’
2014 – ‘Empowering Adolescent Girls: Ending the Cycle of Violence’ 
2015 – ‘Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030’
2016 – Girls’ Progress = Goals’ Progress: What Counts for Girls
2017 – EmPOWER Girls: Before, during and after crises," 
2018 – “With Her: A Skilled Girl Force.”

The theme for International Day of the Girl 2019 is ‘Empowering Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow.’

Why was the International Day of the Girl Child celebrated? 

It is estimated that there are near about 1.1 billion young girls over the world, many of whom face various type of obnoxious challenges in their daily life such as child marriage, child poverty, child labor, female genital mutilation, and adolescent pregnancies – for the single reason that simply because they’re girls. These unnatural experiences remove their childhood innocence, forcing them to mature too quickly.

  • 650 million of girls and women around the world today were married as children
  • 200 million girls and women have undergone FGM
  • 21 million girls aged 15 to 19 years will become pregnant in developing regions

Objectives of

  • To increase awareness among the people and offer girl child with new opportunities.
  • To ensure every girl enjoys all human rights.
  • To increase awareness regarding gender inequality.
  • To address girl child issues.
  • To get rid of all the inequalities faced by women in society.

Girl Child Rights          

The Government of India has introduced various schemes and steps to ensure every girl child enjoys a better life. Here are a few rights in India:

  • Using ultrasound tests for gender discrimination is illegal in India.
  • Girl child marriages have been restricted.
  • ‘Save the Girl Child’ has been introduced by the government.
  • Established open learning system for girls belonging to backward classes does not face any issues.
  • Various Self-Help groups have been introduced by the government to ensure a better livelihood for girls in rural areas.

Here are quotes from several inspirational women and girls who have had a great impact on the whole world. As they say, you need to have passion for something good, believe in yourself, be brave and just do it.

  • No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” –Eleanor Roosevelt
  • If you are always trying to be normal, you’ll never know how amazing you can be.” – Maya Angelou
  • And though she be but little, she is fierce.” – William Shakespeare
  • The most effective way to do it is to do it.” – Amelia Earhart
  • If you really want to fly, just harness your power to your passion.” – Oprah.
  • The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt.
  • We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave – to embrace the strength within themselves and realize their full potential.” – Malala Yousafzai
  • We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa
  • If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.” – Margaret Thatcher
  • There are two ways of spreading light. To be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” – Edith Wharton