The United Nations has declared October 11, 2012 as the world’s first International Day of the Girl Child.
Canada led the call in 2009 for an International Day of the Girl. After two years of petitions and advocacy, Plan Canada raised awareness about the particular challenges that girls face and to take action and the House of Commons unanimously supported a motion to have Canada lead this international campaign. On October 11, 2011, Minister Ambrose calls upon member states to support the proclamation of an International Day of the Girl during an address to the United Nations’ Third Committee on Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs. The resolution was formally adopted by the UN General Assembly.
Canadians are celebrating the first International Day of the Girl today, October 11, 2012. Girls will be recognized as powerful agents of change and as leaders of today and tomorrow, and girl-specific issues will be highlighted.
Find out more on the Government of Canada website, or visit Plan Canada’s Because I’m A Girl campaign:
http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/dates/idg-jif/index-eng.html
http://www.becauseiamagirl.ca