International Day of the Girl 2023
To celebrate the International Day of the Girl, FEMINIST joined the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues, the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy, and the Office of Global Youth Issues at the U.S. Department of State for a day of events.
The day began with an acknowledgment for women and girls experiencing increased gender-based violence during times of war and crisis, including those in Iran, Israel, Palestine, Northern Nigeria, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and many more. Throughout the day, we participated in a series of meaningful conversations with global experts, government leaders, and girls at the forefront of the movement. We touched on modern issues impacting girls around the world, including gender disparities in leadership and ways to work towards a future free of gender-based violence.
“No one is too small to make a difference” —Greta Thunberg 📸 by Madison Swart
FEMINIST’s key takeaways:
Gender-Based Violence: There has been an alarming increase in gender-based violence around the world, particularly in areas with crisis and conflict. Child and early marriage are forms of gender-based violence and human rights abuse that must also be included in the conversation.
HIV/AIDS: There is a striking gender gap in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, with girls accounting for 63% of new infections in Sub-saharan Africa. Solutions will require us to tackle the societal factors affecting women and girls’ ability to negotiate protection and leave risky relationships.
The Role of Social Media: 85% of women and girls around the world will experience gender-based violence online. While social media can be a tool for amplifying the voices of women and girls, it has also become a breeding ground for online gender-based violence. This undermines the safety and ability of women and girls to exercise their freedom of expression, and causes women to opt out of roles in journalism, politics, activism, and other leadership positions.
Political Representation and Participation: 2022 marked the first time in 30 years where the number of women in office or running for office around the globe decreased. The underrepresentation of women and young people in political leadership signals the need for action to ensure a more representative and democratic decision-making process.
The U.S. Department of State announced several new commitments to bolster girls’ rights and leadership around the world, including:
$3.4 million in new funding to support youth seeking to challenge gender norms and build a more inclusive, secure, and prosperous future for themselves and their communities.
Contribution to a grant totalling nearly $2 million to support local civil society organizations in advancing policy implementation.
A commitment to address HIV/AIDS among adolescent girls and young women through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
While progress has been made, much work remains to be done. On the International Day of the Girl, we are reminded of the critical commitment to amplifying women and girls, sharing our collective stories, and advocating for change in support of women, girls, and gender expansive people around the world.
→ Learn more about the U.S. Strategy on Global Girls’ Civic and Political Participation.