11 October, International Day of the Girl

Every child deserves a fair chance to reach her or his full potential. However, gender inequalities pose a challenge for girls to achieve this reality around the world. To promote girls' empowerment and the fulfillment of their rights, the world commemorates 11 October as the International Day of the Girl.

Of the 1 billion young people – including 600 million adolescent girls – that will enter the workforce in the next decade, more than 90 per cent of those living in developing countries will work in the informal sector - jobs that are not regulated or protected – where low or no pay, abuse and exploitation are common. The most disadvantaged girls — including those in rural areas and those with disabilities — have even less access to decent work.

The International Day of the Girl brings all of us together to draw attention to the most important needs and opportunities for girls to attain skills for employability. 

“Transferable skills – such as self-confidence, problem-solving, teamwork and critical thinking – are key to succeed in the rapidly changing world of work, yet many schools do not focus on these “21st century skills,” including science, technology, engineering and math,” said Sascha Graumann, UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan. “Girls’ full participation in the future workforce requires tackling gender stereotypes across professions and addressing the many systemic barriers to decent work they face,” Sascha Graumann added. 

UNICEF in Uzbekistan is working alongside all girls to expand existing learning opportunities and chart new pathways. UNICEF works with the Government and communities to prepare girls for a successful transition into the world of work, and advocates for investing in girls’ most pressing needs and opportunities to attain skills for employability.

As part of the global campaign, UNICEF in Uzbekistan collaborated with eminent personalities and the community to design a series of messages, films and television programme on this subject.

Under the tagline “The Girl. Born to be happy!” these messages call for support of individuals, families and communities to address gender stereotypes, and ensure that every girl enjoys the right to fully realize her potential.