Did you know that the first ever International Day of the Girl was October 11, 2012? When we found out about this movement, we couldn’t have been more pleased. International Day of the Girl is a day dedicated to advancing the rights of girls around the world. It’s up to all of us to make sure that women’s (and girl’s!) rights are championed loud and proud. And after reading the quotes from girls involved in the movement, we see that the Day of the Girl is more than a movement — it’s a revolution.
“After officially making October 11 the Day of the Girl, I feel very accomplished and filled with pride because it took a lot of teamwork to make this big change. I never thought I would ever talk to important people like elected officials. At first I was nervous but then I got used to it. Now I know how to get my point across and how to act business like. The steps we took were successful and I hope that other girls can follow our lead.” –Marisa S, age 13
We’ve all seen the statistics on self esteem and its impact on young women. Life as an adolescent is confusing enough — add in the oft-troubling portrayals of women in mass media, and you’ve got an equation that too many times results in a girl feeling marginalized, lesser than, not good enough. Creating a movement to celebrate the real strength girls have, and showing them they have the ability to make a huge impact on the world? Genius.
“The Day of the Girl is a growing movement. Girls have the voices to make a real impact: don’t ignore us. We have dreams to achieve, and we’re tired of having society standing in our way.“ –Joanne C, age 19 and co-founder of Day of the Girl campaign
At Prosperity Candle, we believe wholeheartedly that investing in women changes the world for the better. We’ll be celebrating Day of the Girl with all of the girls in our own lives, making sure they know how powerful a force for change they are. Just like Marisa and Joanne and all of the amazing girls who came together to make this day happen.
There are so many ways to take part in International Day of the Girl on October 11. It’s all about getting involved, and that means everything from raising your own awareness to sharing the day’s mission with others (especially with the girls in your life!) to supporting related causes.
Below are a few ways that you can get involved on International Day of the Girl and beyond!
- Have conversations about girls' rights with friends, family, or coworkers. Think about ways to uplift and invest in girls, whether in your own community or globally.
- Find your new favorite feminist media. There are so many books, podcasts, and films about feminism, with inspirational female leads, or created by women. Suggest one to your book club or have a watch party with your friends to celebrate on October 11!
- Donate to local or global organizations that support and empower girls. We particularly like these 8 organizations that empower girls around the world, and if you have one that you love share it in the comments!
- Support a women-owned business. Shop at local stores owned by women or discover a new favorite in your community! You can purchase products made by women or designed to support women and girls, like our Girl Power Gift Set.
- Lead by example. We can all support International Day of the Girl by uplifting those around us and listening to their stories. We can all work to encourage confidence in girls, invest in their leadership, and increase access to support services around the world.
What have you been reading and watching in honor of Day of the Girl? We’d love to know — share with us in the comments!
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