Every year, October 11 is celebrated as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. Background On December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child. The International Day of the Girl Child 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 breaking boundaries and barriers posed by stereotypes and exclusion, including those directed at children with disabilities and those living in marginalized communities. As entrepreneurs, innovators and initiators of global movements, girls are creating a world that is relevant for them and future generations. Theme for 2026 - End child marriage and invest in girls’ rights This year’s theme was developed through consultations with girls, girls’ organizations and girl-led networks as well as civil society organizations and United Nations partners. Together, they called for urgent action to end child marriage and invest in girls’ rights – our 2026 theme. Why girls’ rights matter now more than ever Being a girl shouldn’t determine what you can do, where you can go or who you can become. But right now, that's the reality for millions of girls across the world. Too many are being left behind – confronted by extreme challenges that deny girls their rights, restrict their choices and limit their futures. Despite the progress made in adolescent girls’ lives over the past thirty years, their rights are still being violated in places all over the world. Key facts According to UNICEF’s 2026 estimates, an estimated one in five girls are married before age 18 across the world, representing approximately 650 million women and girls alive today who were married in childhood. Nearly one in four ever married or partnered girls aged 15-19 have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Crisis, conflict and displacement continue to increase the risk of child marriage, sexual violence and maternal mortality for girls. Girls aged 15-19 are twice as likely as boys to not be in education, employment or training. In fragile, conflict and violence-affected contexts girls are nearly 90 per cent more likely to be out of secondary school than girls in stable contexts – increasing their risk of child marriage. Key actions Share girls’ stories. Celebrate their achievements and amplify their voices. Advocate for change. Call for policies that protect girls’ rights and enable their leadership. Create girl-led spaces. Wherever you have influence, support safe spaces where girls can connect, learn and get the support they need. Lend your voice. Call for dedicated funding and programmes that meet the unique needs of girls in crisis situations, including health, education, mental well-being and support for adolescent mothers. Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing the rights of not only women but girls. Now, nearly 25 years later, the Platform for Action remains a powerful foundation for assessing progress on gender equality. It calls for a world where every girl and woman can realize all her rights, such as to live free from violence, to attend and complete school, to choose when and whom she marries, and to earn equal pay for equal work. The Platform for Action specifically calls on the global community to: Eliminate all forms of discrimination against girls. Eliminate negative cultural attitudes and practices against girls. Promote and protect the rights of girls and increase awareness of their needs and potential. Eliminate discrimination against girls in education, skills development and training. Eliminate discrimination against girls in health and nutrition. Eliminate the economic exploitation of child labour and protect young girls at work. Eradicate violence against girls. Promote girls’ awareness of and participation in social, economic and political life. Strengthen the role of the family in improving the status of girls. Source : UNICEF Related resources UN Women UN