The International Day of the Girl Child is an annual United Nations observance held on 11 October. Established by UN Resolution 66/170 in 2011, 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.
The day highlights issues including access to quality education, gender-based violence, child marriage, and the persistent under-representation of girls and women in STEM fields. Events and campaigns are organised globally by UN agencies, national governments, NGOs, schools, and community organisations. Past themes have included ‘Our time is now — our rights, our future’, ‘Digital generation. Our generation’, and ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future’. The 2026 theme is to be confirmed.
For the STREAM IT community, the International Day of the Girl Child offers a powerful annual moment to raise awareness about gender disparities in STEM education and to advocate for equal opportunities for girls. It connects directly with the project’s mission of streaming girls and women into STEAM education, innovation, and research.
More information: https://www.un.org/en/observances/girl-child-day