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.

From the United States to Thailand hundreds of girls will 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 will 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.

2019 Takeovers: It's time to #RewriteHerStory

This year, girls are demanding radical change in the portrayal of girls and young women in films and entertainment, textbooks, advertising, in video games and through ALL forms of communication.

As #GirlsTakeover they are challenging stereotypes, beliefs and attitudes reinforced by media and entertainment as these portrayals influence how the world views girls and how they view themselves. 

#GirlsTakeover because they want real stories of their power and leadership potential to be shared, NOT content that further limits their rights and choices. Because this is how Girls Get Equal.

Girls Get Equal Live 2019

Girls Get Equal Live will be held this year in Stockholm on 10th and 11th October. 

Global leaders, influencers and young activists from around the world will gather to tackle the biggest challenges faced by girls and young women all over the world.

At the root of all girls’ rights issues are the social norms, attitudes and behaviours that mean girls are seen and treated as inferior. We must change these gender norms and end these stereotypes to achieve gender equality and large-scale change for all girls, everywhere. 

The event brings together girls and young women as drivers of change, with their allies to challenge the ideas, stereotypes and attitudes that hold girls back.

Follow us on Instagram and keep up with our stories for updates from this studded celebration of girls' power and potential.

What happened last year?

• 1000 takeovers organised and run directly by Plan International offices
• 60 countries taking part in Plan International's #GirlsTakeover action
• #GirlsTakeover CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Vice President of Uganda, National Assembly of Ecuador, Parliament of Senegal and many more! 

Map legend: All countries in yellow held takeovers in 2018. Hover on the girl icons to read highlights of some of the takeovers.
 

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 2019's day of #GirlsTakeover action, please get in touch with our corporate partnerships team: corporate.partnerships@plan-international.org