Why is International Day of the Girl Important?
Images: Ronan McKenzie for NIKE
International Day of the Girl has been globally recognized on October 11th for almost a decade. At first thought, it sounds like a celebration centered around the fun times of being a young girl. Dressing up, makeup tutorials, turning our spaces into creative hubs, and building offices in our backyards to practice being like our older female role models. While International Day of the Girl is about celebrating the essence of sisterhood, it holds so much more purpose.
At the root of International Day of the Girl, today is meant to recognize the rights that girls have all across the world. Globally, there are so many dangers and discrimination that directly impact young girls and these challenges need visibility on a large scale. This exposure to what’s going on around other parts of the world helps to shed light for more advocacy initiatives to take place, specifically around education and rights to their own bodies.
Ultimately, International Day of the Girl is about empowering young girls to be leaders and impact change. Even at a young age, girls are taught to navigate in certain societal roles. Many organizations and brands are utilizing their platforms to promote the importance of this day while shifting the narrative.
Nike is making big strides to partner with organizations and support the mission behind International Day of the Girl. As a leading global brand, the connections made between sports and leadership are imperative. Planting the seed to unify girls around the world to be their best and push past barriers that may be set in their way is a catalyst for the change we want to see.
“International Day of the Girl is a moment to highlight what girls around the world need and deserve. Girls face unique and ongoing barriers to play, but they’re reimagining what sport can be for themselves.”
Let’s take a look at what Jawahir Roble (AKA JJ) is doing for girls in the United Kingdom. Jawahir has become the first female, hijab-wearing referee. JJ’s goal is not only to coach a girls team, but to show them that anything is possible even if it doesn’t seem to be the standard. JJ pours positivity into her coaching regimen and empowers her team on and off the field. By creating this safe space through sports and becoming a representation of her messaging - she builds confidence for these young women to be successful much farther than just the pre-teen years.
“The girls I coach look up to me. I always tell them, ‘Do your homework, get good grades. And remember, always stay in sports.’”
Through focus of accessibility to more education resources, family planning, and basic nutrition, young girls across the world can be positioned to be the leaders that they were born to be without restrictions. Learn more about what Nike is doing to take a stand below.
