International Day of the Girl 2024: Girls’ Visions for Their Futures

Children & Youth, Gender-Based Violence, Girls

There are more than 1.1 billion girls worldwide, and their potential is limitless. Yet, we know global crises such as climate change and violence disproportionately affect them. So, on this International Day of the Girl, we call for urgent action fueled by persistent hope and driven by the power of girls’ voices and visions for the future.

Did you know?

Girls are disproportionately affected by the global crises of climate change, conflict, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence?

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Climate Change and Child Marriage

Climate change and other environmental crises exacerbate existing inequalities in access to resources and education. Scientists warn that warming of 1.5oC could force millions of people into extreme poverty and, most severely, in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, the two regions with the highest current rates of child marriage and female genital mutilation.

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Growing Conflicts and Girls' Access to Education

In 2023, more than 600 million women and girls lived in conflict-affected countries. Girls are almost two and a half times more likely to be out of school if they live in conflict-affected countries, and adolescent girls are nearly 90 percent more likely to be out of secondary school.

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Technology-Facilitated Gender-based Violence

A global study by Plan International in 32 countries found 57 percent of adolescent girls experienced harassment on social media platforms. Another Plan survey of 14,000 girls in 22 countries found that of the 98 percent who used social media, more than half reported being "attacked and harassed" online - in many cases, before they were even old enough to vote. As a result of those attacks, "19% of girls who were harassed very frequently said they used the social media platforms less and 12% just stopped using it."

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Child Sexual Abuse

A global study by Plan International in 32 countries found 58 percent of adolescent girls had experienced harassment on social media platforms. Additionally, a Plan survey of 14,000 girls in 22 countries found that of the 98 percent who use social media, more than half reported being “attacked and harassed” online—in many cases, before they were even old enough to vote. Sadly, what happens online is also repeated daily in real life. Child sexual abuse is a global scourge that continues to grow. More than 370 million women and girls globally report being victims of rape or sexual assault before age 18.

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COURAGEOUS IN THE FACE OF CRISES AND HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE

Every day, girls take action to realize a vision of a world where all girls are protected, respected, and empowered. It is time we listen to girls and invest in proven solutions to accelerate progress toward a future where every girl can fulfill her potential. According to partners working on the ground like Soccer Without Borders, girls are asking for:

A quality education that provides learning, relevant skills, and agency to chart their own courses
Safety and freedom from violence and harmful practices
Economic support to expand opportunities and the power to determine their futures

"For every girl to have the same opportunity as boys in order to have female leaders"

Angel

"For every girl, I will want them to have a mentorship so that they can grow with confidence and achieve their goals"

Excellence

"For every girl, I would wish them to go to school so that they can be educated and get employment opportunities."

Blandine

"For every girl, I would wish them to have support from their family so that they can follow their dreams and succeed."

Tiji

GIRLS CANNOT REALIZE THIS VISION ALONE

They need allies who listen to and respond to their needs. Connect with us at FUTURES to learn more about our efforts to change the game for girls and build safe communities and healthy relationships, Keep Girls Safe in humanitarian settings, Keep Girls in School and advance girls’ leadership.

Thank you to Soccer Without Borders for sharing the quotes of the girls that benefit from their programs in Uganda.