GirlForce: Unscripted and unstoppable

Twenty-five years ago more than 30,000 women from 200 countries arrived in Beijing for the World Conference on Women determined to recognise the rights of women and girls as human rights. What started as global women’s movements campaigning for sexual and reproductive health rights, political participation and equal pay, to name a few, expanded to movements organised by and for adolescent girls.

Today, girls’ movements are stopping child marriage, promoting girls’ education, standing up against gender-based violence, demanding action on climate change, tackling issues of self-esteem, and standing up for girls’ rights. Girls are also engaging with municipalities to advocate for financial investments in their communities and for truly inclusive development that recognise their needs. Girls are proving they are unscripted and unstoppable.

The theme: ‘GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable’

For this year’s International Day of the Girl (IDG: 11 October 2019), we are working alongside and supporting all girls to amplify their voices and stand up for their rights. Under the theme, GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable, IDG will celebrate achievements by, with and for girls since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and passage of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Today, girls are moving from dreaming to achieving. More are attending and completing school, fewer are getting married or becoming mothers while still children, and more are gaining the skills they need to excel in the future world of work. Girls are breaking barriers posed by stereotypes and exclusion, including those faced by children with disabilities or living in marginalised communities. As entrepreneurs, innovators and initiators of global movements, girls are leading and fostering a world that is relevant for them and future generations.

The campaign

Continuing the theme launched last year, IDG marks the start of a year-long effort to bring together partners and stakeholders to equip girls with the power, knowledge and space to voice their passions and concerns. The global community must create more opportunities for girls’ voices to be heard and safe spaces for their participation in decision-making. Leading change for girls is our collective responsibility.

As part of this campaign with and for girls, partners will bring together programming, advocacy, communication, fundraising, and public engagement elevating progress for and with girls.