International Day of the Girl

𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 to go to school, continue my studies as far as I wish and learn regardless of race, religion or country or origin.Follow the conversation  #StandUp4HumanRights #EducationForAll

In celebration of the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child , this year's Speak Out will be a powerful platform for girl leaders in all their diversity to engage in an open, candid dialogue with policy makers, including Member States and UN agencies, around the theme: " Girls Speak Out: Advancing Equality, Accelerating Action " The discussion will focus on key issues affecting girls , such as their participation in social and political life , their education , eliminating all forms of violence and discrimination against them, championing their leadership in the climate crisis, and financing for the realization of their rights . Watch the G irls' Speak Out - 2026 International Day of the Girl! Meetings & Events

UNESCO supported the development of 3 new online learning resources to help parents, students, and teachers prevent online gender-based and sexual violence in Montenegro. As digital technology becomes central in everyday life in Montenegro, concerns about online safety, equality, and well-being are growing. While the internet offers vast opportunities for learning and connection, it has also created new forms of gender-based and sexual violence that disproportionately affect women and girls. Young people are particularly vulnerable, often navigating online environments without sufficient awareness of potential risks or available support . Montenegro has strengthened its legal and policy frameworks on gender-based violence and digital rights; yet, challenges remain in implementation, reporting, and prevention. Digital literacy gaps also persist, especially in recognising online abuse , practicing safe online behaviour , and understanding legal protections . In this context, the educ...

Who’s shaping tomorrow?  Girls—visionaries and innovators—yet barriers to education, tech, and equality hold them back. “Girls’ Vision for the Future” demands we amplify their voices for a fair, green world. The WMO’s with them: boosting STEM access, delivering climate tools for resilience, and championing their leadership. Girls aren’t just the future—they’re the now. Let’s invest in their dreams for all.

‎This father-daughter moment is actually ... homework. Alexander Jesus González Rodríguez and his daughter Yefreannys Isamar Muñoz López of Venezuela work on math equations near the Paso del Norte Bridge between the United States and Mexico. In this 2023 photograph, they were waiting for an appointment with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection representatives. From the slight smile on Yefreannys Isamar Muñoz López's face, it might be a surprise to learn that she is working on math equations with her dad. The photo was made after they had trekked hundreds of miles from Venezuela to the United States-Mexico border, awaiting their immigration appointment. Yefreannys is one of many girls whom Danielle Villasana has met as a photojournalist working around the world over the last decade, capturing images that show how girls and young women persist in spite of the issues and inequalities they face. Villasana remembers: "She was just so happy, so full of joy, not complaining, not up...

Guterres: "Every girl, everywhere, deserves equality, opportunity, and dignity. On this International Day, let us recommit to building a better world for girls. As global crises intensify, it is often girls who bear the heaviest burden. In his message for the International Day of the Girl Child, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the disproportionate impact of conflict, climate disasters, and displacement on girls. “Child marriage in fragile settings is nearly twice the global average,” he noted, urging leaders to prioritize girls’ rights and invest in their futures. At UN Headquarters in New York, girls took over the ECOSOC Chamber to share their stories and demands under the theme “We are Here: Bold, Diverse, and Unstoppable.” Messages of solidarity were extended to girls in Afghanistan and other regions where rights are restricted. Nafisa from Ghana spoke of a friend forced to leave school due to conflict, yet determined to keep learning. “Girls are strong. Girl...