October 11 marked the International Day of the Girl Child, a global observance that celebrates the strength, resilience, and leadership of girls across the world. This year’s theme, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,” highlights the vital role girls play in confronting global challenges and driving meaningful change.
From climate emergencies and conflict to domestic violence, health crises, and displacement, girls often bear the brunt of hardship. Yet, they continue to rise as advocates, innovators, and leaders within their communities.
This year’s theme is a powerful declaration of identity and purpose. “The Girl I Am” affirms every girl’s right to self-definition, to take pride in who she is and the values she upholds. “The Change I Lead” underscores that girls are not merely recipients of protection or aid, but active change makers, visionaries, and agents of transformation.
Empowering girls requires deliberate investment in their education, health, safety, and leadership. Governments, faith-based organisations, and civil society must amplify their voices and create platforms where they can thrive. When girls lead, families, churches, and nations flourish.
Too often, girls’ perspectives are overlooked in decision-making spaces. Yet, their lived experiences offer invaluable insight into building peace, sustainability, and equality. Meaningful inclusion must go beyond token representation; it must empower girls to influence outcomes that shape their futures.
On the International Day of the Girl Child, men and boys – fathers, brothers, husbands, and uncles – are encouraged to celebrate the girls and women in their lives. Support their dreams, nurture their potential, and stand beside them as they rise. Do not break them; build them.
As the world marks this year’s event, let us renew our collective commitment to ensuring every girl is safe, valued, and free to lead. Girls are not just the future, they are the present force of change. When they rise, the world rises with them.
Written by Gina Akua Padi
