11 OCTOBER, INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD
"On this International Day of the Girl Child, I call on all governments to take action to end all forms of violence against girls in all parts of the world. Together, we must create a world where violence against women and girls is never tolerated and girls are always empowered to reach their full potential. "
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
girls speaking at a panel
A special event, "Girls Speak Out: Showcasing Girl Activists from
around the World" was organised in celebration of the second annual
International Day of the Girl Child. UN Photo/Sarah Fretwell
2014 Theme: Empowering Adolescent Girls: Ending the Cycle of Violence
On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare 11 October as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls' rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.
In recognition of the importance of investing in and empowering girls during adolescence and preventing and eliminating the various forms of violence they experience, the theme of International Day of the Girl Child for 2014 is Empowering Adolescent Girls: Ending the Cycle of Violence.