On this International Day of the Girl Child, we are called to face an undeniable truth: while progress has been made, millions of girls around the world still live in conditions that limit their rights, their dreams, and their futures.
As UNESCO reminds us, this day is not only a celebration of girls’ achievements — it is also a powerful call to amplify their voices, invest in their potential, and act boldly to defend their rights.
Education: A Right Still Denied
Today, an estimated 133 million girls are out of school. Adolescent girls aged 15–19 are more likely to be excluded from education, employment, or training than boys. Nearly 4 in 10 girls and young women do not complete upper secondary education. These are not just statistics — they represent lost opportunities for progress, leadership, and innovation.
Violence and Gender Inequality Begin Early
Alarmingly, nearly 1 in 4 adolescent girls who have ever been married or partnered have experienced intimate partner violence. Even more concerning, over one-third of adolescents in this age group believe a husband is justified in hitting his wife under certain circumstances.
These numbers reveal how harmful gender norms are still deeply ingrained and passed down from generation to generation.
Health and Nutrition at Risk
Malnutrition continues to endanger girls’ well-being. The percentage of underweight adolescent girls aged 10–19 has barely improved in the last 30 years — decreasing only from 10% to 8%.
The health of every girl child — physical, emotional, and mental — must remain a global priority.
The 2030 Agenda is at Risk
With only five years left to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), no country with available data has met even half of the 16 SDG targets that are most critical to adolescent girls’ well-being.
This is a clear call for urgent, united, and sustained action to protect and empower every girl child.
BPW International: A Global Network for Change
At BPW International, we believe that when we empower girls, we shape a better future for all. With nearly a century of history and global presence, our mission for this triennium is rooted in our shared commitment to: Inspire. Innovate. Empower. Transform.
We are mobilizing our members and clubs worldwide to:
✅ Expand access to education and mentoring opportunities
✅ Challenge harmful gender norms from an early age
✅ Support public policies that protect and uplift girls
✅ Create platforms where girls can be heard and lead with confidence
Together, we can build a world where equality, opportunity, and empowerment become the foundation for sustainable change.
Join Us: Take Action Today
This International Day of the Girl Child, we invite you to do more than raise awareness — be part of the transformation.
- Share this message across your networks
- Support girls in your community
- Use your voice to advocate for policies that protect their rights
- Engage with your local BPW club
Because when every girl child is empowered, the world changes with her.
