For International Day of the Girl (11 October) 2020, girls from across the world have written an open letter to the major social media companies, calling for greater action to be taken against online abuse and harassment. 

Stand with girls against gender-based violence online, by signing the letter today. It's time for change so girls are #FreeToBeOnline.

sign the letter

State of the World's Girls: Free to Be Online?

Our latest research, launching in October 2020, brings together the voices and experiences of over 14,000 girls across many continents to uncover their experiences of being online: what platforms they use, their experience of harassment and its impacts. 

As COVID-19 moves more of our lives online, it's vital that this space is safe for girls. Learn more in our groundbreaking, 2020 State of the World's Girls report: Free to Be Online? 
 

The global #GirlsTakeover

Melany, 10, took over as President of Dominican Republic from recently elected Luis Abinader.

The global #GirlsTakeover on International Day of the Girl (11 October) is a call to action for radical social and political change to tear down barriers of discrimination and prejudice that continue to hold girls back.

Each year, girls from the United States to Thailand hundreds of girls step into the roles of media, entertainment, business and politics for a day to demand equal power, freedom and representation for girls and young women.

Through the #GirlsTakeover, girls occupy spaces where they are rarely seen or heard and making it clear they have the right to be there without being silenced or ignored.

For the takeovers in 2020, girls took over high profile positions such as the Prime Minister of Finland and the President of Dominican Republic. 

History of the Day of the Girl

Girls march through Uganda to mark the International Day of the Girl

11 October has been a key global moment to celebrate the power of girls and highlight the barriers they face since the United Nations adopted it as International Day of the Girl in December 2011.   

While there has long been an International Women's Day and an International Day of the Child, neither of these days recognise the unique position of girls who are discriminated against simply for being young and female.

We led the global effort to build a coalition of support behind the Day of the Girl, securing support from the Canadian government which took our call all the way to the United Nations.

We worked with girls who believed that an international day could be a launch pad for global action on girls’ rights. Through their stories, ideas and views it was clear that an international day for girls would bring global focus to their lack of representation in the global development agenda. 

How you can get involved

If you would like to take part in next year's #GirlsTakeover, please get in touch: girlsgetequal@plan-international.org