What you can do to support the International Day of the Girl

by Taryn Davies | 7 October 2014

October 11 is International Day of the Girl which hopes to highlight the needs and rights of girls, and hopefully advocate greater action and investment to enable them to reach their full potential.

It's time to take a stand to ensure girls don't face discrimination because of their sex

But what can you do to support the International Day?

All the world over girls still face discrimination all because of their sex, facing unique challenges like making a living and forced marriages (sometimes at young ages), and yes, there is something you can do to help change that.

Plan's Because I am a Girl campaign asks you to sign up to help raise 4 million hands and stand up for women across the world.

A number of celebrities, like Freida Pinto, help support this amazing cause and you can too by donating, sponsoring a child and fundraising.

Just recently Games of Thrones stars Natalie Dormer and Lena Headley and singer Beverley Knight came together to support the Face Up to Violence part of this campaign.

Each of the stars bear striking words painted across their faces, these are the words of real girls who have experienced unthinkable traumas. 'Trying to control me', 'Ignored my screams', 'Bear the scars' and 'Violation' are just some of the heart-breaking words that appear.

Millions of girls are being denied an education right at a time when it has the power to transform their lives and the world around them. Making it through both primary and secondary education is critical to girls being able to help break the cycle of poverty.

A girl who makes it through both high quality primary and secondary education is...

...less likely to experience violence or marry and have children whilst she is still a child.
...more likely to be literate, healthy and survive into adulthood, as are her children.
...more likely to reinvest her income back into her family, community and country.
...more likely to understand her rights and be a force for change.

Plan's Because I am a Girl campaign aims to reach 4 million girls directly - improving their lives with access to school, skills, livelihoods and protection and just small things from you can help do that.

Through the Because I am a Girl campaign, Plan's projects will address the barriers to girls completing a quality education of at least 9 years, as well as equip them with the assets they need to safe guard their future, promote gender equality and improve their lives.