What is the UN’s International Day of the Girl and how can I get involved?
Every year we take time to think about girl's rights around the world and for many their lack of - here's all you need to know about the day
TODAY is the UN's International Day of the Girl and it's a very important day for females across the world because it focuses on their rights - and often lack of.
The celebration takes place every year on October 11 - but what else do we know? Here is everything else you need to know about the day.
What is the UN's International Day of the Girl?
and it was set up to help promote the rights of girls across the world.
The event occurs on October 11 and the aim is to bring to light the harsh realities that living as a girl around the globe can pose.
The day is designed to highlight the issues in education, healthcare, child care, trafficking, equal opportunities and sexual violence that girls are facing everyday.
What does the Day of the Girl actually do and why is it important?
While not every girl will struggle with all of those daily problems, most girls will encounter at least one of them throughout their lifetime.
Despite half the population being female, discrimination is felt on a daily basis due to gender inequality and those most at risk are the 1.1 billion girls.
One in three girls in developing countries get married before they're 18-years-old and often this isn't through their own choice.
Early marriage usually results in the girl missing out on education and a career and puts her in more dangerous of violence both physical and sexual.
But the International Day of the Girl hopes to help prevent this - each year the organisers come up with a theme and
The theme is designed to emphasise the fact that a girl's success is also beneficial for society.
How can I get involved?
1. Spread the word
One of the easiest way to show your support and raise awareness for the cause is by writing a few inspirational words with the hashtag #InternationalDayoftheGirl on social media.
And look out for the #GirlsTakeover, the hashtag, coined by Plan International, is being used at events across the world where politicians, CEOs and other leaders are being replaced by girls for the day.
By retweeting the or pinning the messages, you'll be helping spread the important message.
2. Donate to charity
ActionAid are encouraging people to share Goal 5 from the Global Goals for Sustainable Development – "To achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls".
Look out for the hashtag #GlobalGoals and help spread the word.
3. Attend an event
There are a couple of events being held in the UK today, the first is for secondary school girls aged 11-18 at The Southbank Centre in London.
The event will be followed by a talk from .
While Womankind is also holding a discussion with influential feminist writers Daisy Buchanan, Reni Eddo-Lodge and Ann Morgan from 6pm at the Bloomsbury Institute.
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