Challenging invisibility: International Day of the Girl and the politics of visual representation

Have you heard of Malala Yousafzai, Greta Thunberg or Chanel Contos? Did you know that 11 October International Day of the Girl Child? You’re not alone if you answered “yes” to the first question and “no” to the second. While the lack of knowledge about the International Day of the Girl raises questions about what this commemoration hopes to achieve, it reiterates the critical need for its very existence. Since it was established in 2011, the United Nations International Day of the Girl (IDG) celebrates girls. Each year it nominates a different theme —this year’s is girls’ rights, leadership, and well-being. It promotes girls who have led the charge to reform political and social institutions and cultural norms, as well as public attitudes around climate change and human rights in their local and national contexts.