International Day of the Girl Child
The United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of the Girl Child in 2011. The day focuses attention on the challenges girls face and promotes their empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.
Why International Day of the Girl Child matters
Every girl should have the opportunity to learn, grow, participate in decisions that affect her and determine her own future.
Around the world, girls continue to experience barriers related to discrimination, violence, poverty, conflict, access to education and harmful practices. At the same time, girls are leaders and changemakers who are helping shape their communities and advocate for a more equitable future.
Recognizing the International Day of the Girl Child is an opportunity to listen to girls, support their rights and create environments where they can participate fully and safely.
2026 theme: End child marriage and invest in girls’ rights
The 2026 theme is “End child marriage and invest in girls’ rights.”
The theme was developed through consultation with girls, girl-led organizations, civil society organizations and United Nations partners. It calls attention to child marriage as a violation of girls’ rights and emphasizes the importance of investments in education, health, protection, social services and opportunities for girls to participate in decisions that affect their lives.
While the theme highlights an important global human rights issue, International Day of the Girl Child is also an opportunity to consider more broadly how communities can support girls’ rights, participation, safety and opportunities.
Supporting girls in our community
Creating an inclusive community means making space for girls to be heard, participate and pursue their interests and goals.
There are many ways individuals, organizations and communities can contribute, including:
- Listen to girls and take their perspectives seriously.
- Create meaningful opportunities for girls to participate in decisions that affect them.
- Support equitable access to recreation, education, arts, sport and community programs.
- Challenge stereotypes about what girls can or should do.
- Help create public spaces and community programs where girls feel safe, welcomed and included.
- Encourage girls’ leadership, creativity and participation.
- Speak up against discrimination, harassment and gender-based violence.
From a municipal perspective, accessible recreation, welcoming public spaces, inclusive community programs and opportunities for young people to participate can all help create a community where girls are able to thrive.
Learn more
Learn more about the International Day of the Girl Child and girls’ rights through:
The City of Red Deer recognizes dates such as International Day of the Girl Child as opportunities to learn from different experiences and consider how we can continue building a community where everyone has opportunities to participate and belong.