International Day of the Girl

This year marks the 10 year anniversary of the International Day of the Girl. There are 600 million adolescent girls around the world, all facing unique challenges and opportunities.

Sadly in many parts of the world girls' rights can be very limited. This can be exacerbated through climate change, the lingering impacts of COVID and humanitarian conflict. They face challenges to their physical selves, to their education and mental well being. It's good to see that more attention is being paid to the issues mattering to girls and that their voices are becoming louder. That governments and the general public are hearing what they have to say.

What's incredible is the resilience that so many are showing. We all need to stand together - boys and girls - to ensure equality for all.

We highlight 3 incredible girls making a difference in their communities and beyond.

1. Mari Copeny, 14

There was a water crisis in Mari's home town of Flint. She used her voice to speak out and help her community. She now uses this incredible voice to help communities across the nation dealing with issues around toxic water.

2. Mikaila Ulmer, 17

Mikaila was stung by a bee when she was very young and rather than being terrified, she researched bees and was blown away by their importance to our eco-system. She decided to start up her own brand of lemonade called Me & the Bees of which a large proportion goes to charities supporting bees. Buy a bottle, save a bee!

3. Bana al-Abed, 13

When Bana was just 8 years old she kept a record on Twitter on what was happening in the city of Aleppo. She has since used her fame to try and bring peace to Syria, asking world leaders to listen to what she has to say.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

Follow, share, amplify - follow those girls who are making change in their communities and share what they are doing. Let's help to amplify their incredible work.