International Women’s Day cupcakes, bake sales and performative panels shine through the month of March, concealing the issues women face every day, not just March 8th, with rose-tinted glasses and vanilla slices. Throughout October, International Day of the Girl is celebrated on the 11th. By honouring the contributions and voices of girls and girls’ rights advocates, and also acknowledging the challenges young girls face, this day aims to facilitate long-term change to the lives of our youngest civilians.
Thirty years ago, the Beijing Platform for Action document adopted a pivotal stance by focusing on the rights of women and girls across the world, centring the youngest voices as vital changemakers. It’s described by the UN as “the world’s blueprint for gender equality”. In 2011, Plan International campaigned to the United Nations, highlighting the importance of young girls and calling for “a day of action that acknowledges the unique challenges girls face, promotes girls’ rights and empowerment, and celebrates their enormous potential to catalyse change”. After doing so, the UN responded in December 2011 officially declaring October 11 as International Day of the Girl. In 2012, the first inaugural International Day of the Girl was observed on October 11th.
Similarly to International Women’s Day (IWD), International Day of the Girl has dedicated themes, characteristics and purposes, established by the United Nations. This year, on October 11th, International Day of the Girl is presented around the theme ‘The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontline of crisis’, supporting young girls to empower themselves to enact change within communities.
International days of action towards women and girls work to empower collective support in societies. The purpose behind which they were established was driven by a desire for our young girls to break through glass ceilings and stereotypes, advocate for themselves and stand up for justice. But in formally designating a specific day to these causes, challenges inevitably arise. One day provides surface-level support for issues deep within the iceberg. Achieving full equality across all areas of our lives is an everyday quest, but for many – despite how great their intentions may be – it’s a self-serving, box-ticking exercise to show themselves and everyone else that they acknowledge, support and create space for girls. This advocacy shouldn’t constitute handing out pink cupcakes once a month, or a celebratory panel of speakers.
With 122 million girls out of school globally, young girls in the United States facing increasing threats to healthcare access, and limitations to achieving equality in the workplace across industries globally, can October 11th really fix it all? Collectively deciding that one day can be dedicated to change doesn’t lead to change. It’s performative.
A 2016 article published by The Guardian describes many ways women and girls celebrated October 11th, ranging from flashmob dances to campaigns, and an online lecture, hosted by Michelle Obama. Meanwhile, an ABC article encompasses writer Nina Welsch’s definitive stance on these celebratory days as a product of “utopia-think”, or marketing campaigns focused on the “reality you wish existed as opposed to facing the grim realities that affect the most vulnerable.”
However, when these days are celebrated for more than 24 hours, progressive change is noticed. It’s the ongoing advocacy of girls’ rights at schools, in the workplace, in social settings, and online, that aren’t bound by a single day that’s trending on social media. In terms of brands’ connection to advocacy, Barbie’s an example – recently announcing a new doll, representing renowned rugby player, Ilona Maher. The intention is to provide a role model for girls from a very young age, with a doll that can be a daily reminder of the power and potential of girlhood and gender equality.
At the same time though, it reminds me that International Day of the Girl highlights issues of inequity between experiences of girlhood – and isn’t this the very reason the day was created in the first place? To address this? I write this as a privileged young adult, whose girlhood was overflowing with a rich education at local public schools, and I could ride my rollerblades up and down my street as the sun set. As I grew into a young woman, I had easy access to healthcare and essential services. Living in a developed country, International Day of the Girl celebrations are centred around collective activities, but are the millions of young girls who become child brides able to honour this day too?
Top photo – Source: Canva