What is International
Day of the Girl?
Plan IS Day of the Girl
In 2011, Plan International successfully campaigned to the United Nations (UN) to introduce a day of action that acknowledges the unique challenges girls face, promotes girls' rights and empowerment, and celebrates their enormous potential to catalyse change.
The UN officially declared October 11 International Day of the Girl and Plan International has led activities on this globally recognised day of action ever since.
Now, Day of the Girl is Plan International's largest annual campaign, and our global community mobilises every year with activations and celebrations taking place across markets and communities.
This year, Australia helps
Plan International
say NO to child brides.
By 14, Aysha was married.
By 15, she was a mother.
Aysha's story reflects the harsh reality faced by many girls
around the world, where simply being born female can
lead to a life defined by early marriage and motherhood.
Aysha’s marriage wasn’t a choice, it was a consequence
of poverty. When her father fell ill, her family’s financial
struggles deepened, and she was married off to a man
seven years her senior in hopes of securing some
stability.
But Aysha’s story didn’t end there. Thanks to the Stop the
Stigma programme, she gained access to
contraceptives and, more importantly, the knowledge
and confidence to take control of her own future.
Now, at 18, she is choosing to delay having more children.
She dreams of education, independence, and a better
life, not just for herself, but for the next generation.
Aysha’s courage and determination shine as a beacon of hope for girls everywhere—girls who deserve the chance to grow, learn, and thrive on their own terms.
Become an International Day of the Girl match partner with Plan International.
Boost your brand with us whilst championing girls all over the world, and make your mark to help end child marriage in our largest, global campaign.
What does it mean to become a match partner?
1.
Your company
donates to our match fund.
Around 1 in 3 donors would give a larger gift if matching is available.
2.
We promote your commitment to 1000's of supporters.
In one of our appeals, match boosted donations by 169%
3.
Your contribution matches peoples gifts dollar for dollar.
Purpose-driven marketing campaigns can increase sales by 50%.
Did you know?
We have unmatched visibility and influence.
We ARE International Day of the Girl.
This is our day, from inception to coverage in Australian media.
We hold a 75% market and media share for International Day of the Girl.
Through a robust digital campaign, we will amplify your brand’s involvement in meaningful, measurable ways, reaching key demographics within Australia. In 2024 we reached over 2.8M people with our IDG campaign.
Amplify Your Brand Message with Authenticity and Conviction
Connect deeply with your audience by delivering genuine, compelling stories that resonate.
Boost Your Brand’s Appeal Among a Young Demographic
Engage the next generation with fresh, relevant content that speaks their language and values.
Create Impactful Content for Your Influencers and Brand Ambassadors
Empower your partners with powerful, share-worthy content that elevates your brand presence.
Let’s Talk About Marketing Partnership Opportunities Today
Whether it’s through bespoke fundraising activities or co-designing a special product range, our dedicated team brings a wealth of experience to help you inspire and engage your employees, clients, and community.
Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the journey to end child marriage, fill in the form below and we'll get back to you.
Every year, 12 million girls are forced into marriage.
That’s one every 2.4 seconds.
From survivor to entrepreneur: Sima's journey to empowerment
27-year-old Sima from Nepal was trapped in an abusive marriage and endured mental and physical attacks from her husband. The relentless violence pushed her to the brink of suicide. Finally, finding the courage to break free, Sima divorced her husband.
Plan International, aware of her situation, enrolled her in a three-month tailoring course under the ProTEcT project.
After completing the program, Sima received a startup kit, including a sewing machine. Now she and others from the project run a tailoring shop in their community, crafting and selling clothes to support themselves.
The domino effect of aid cuts, the rise of conflict, humanitarian disasters and the acceleration of the climate crisis is significantly increasing the risk of child marriage.
Families facing extreme poverty, displacement, or insecurity often see early marriage as a way to protect or provide for their daughters.
These crises disrupt education and social support systems, making girls more vulnerable to forced or early marriage. Addressing these challenges is crucial to preventing child marriage and safeguarding girls’ rights.
Kidnapped at just 12-years-old, advocate by 14
In Vietnam’s Ha Giang province, Dani* was forced into marriage under a distorted version of the bride kidnapping tradition.
Stripped of education and subjected to daily abuse, Dani attempted to escape three times, each time returned by her family, who feared social shame more than her suffering.
On her fourth attempt, she walked over 20 km alone to reach safety. With the support of her grandmother, local authorities, and teachers, she finally broke free.
Now 14 and back in school, Dani* is a powerful youth advocate.
She speaks out, creates awareness through street theatre and digital media, and works to protect other girls from the same fate.
*Name changed to protect identity.
A Childhood Cut Short
At 18, Sefora was pushed into a union. With no food at home and no one to help care for her, saying yes felt like survival.
But what she didn’t realise was that this decision would cost her everything. Her freedom, her education, her dreams.
“I stopped studying after sixth grade. Life as a married woman is harder than I imagined. You can’t do what you want anymore.”
At 18, she gave birth to her daughter, Aritza. Her husband left their village to work and hasn’t returned.
She now raises her child alone, with little support. But through Plan International’s training sessions, Sefora is rediscovering her strength. She’s learning about her rights, birth control, and the power of education.
“I’ve learned that women have value. I want my daughter to go to school and have a different life than mine.”
Sefora still dreams of returning to school and with the right support, she will.
From child bride to changemaker: Useaking's journey in Cox's Bazar
By the time Useaking was 21, she was already a mother of two, her childhood dreams put on hold far too soon.
“I had so many hopes for my future but those dreams were pushed aside when I was forced to marry and became pregnant shortly after.”
Useaking joined a community group for young married women, run by Plan International. The group focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), mental health, and protection from gender-based violence. It offered her something she hadn’t had before: knowledge, support, and a safe space to speak.
“I can talk openly with my family and friends about the challenges I face.”
Empowered by what she’s learned, Useaking is now passing that knowledge on.
“I’m teaching my younger sister about SRHR, so she won’t face the same challenges I did.”
Dressed for school,
not their wedding
Thank you
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