Council on Foreign Relations’ “Women Around the World”: International Day of the Girl Child
Anne Connell, assistant director for the Council on Foreign Relations’ Women and Foreign Policy Program, writes, “October 11, 2016 is the International Day of the Girl Child. The focus of this year’s internationally recognized day is ‘Girls’ Progress = Goals’ Progress: What Counts for Girls.’ The theme recognizes the promise of the world’s new development framework, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to address issues that hold girls back around the world, and highlights the need for increased investment in quality sex-disaggregated data to make progress toward all seventeen goals. Learn more about the status and rights of girls in these five publications from the Women and Foreign Policy program.” The publications discuss child marriage, girls’ education, women and girls in the Afghanistan transition, closing the gender gap, and results from Bangladesh on how to delay child marriage (10/11).

USAID: Statement by USAID Administrator Gayle Smith on International Day of the Girl Child
In a statement recognizing International Day of the Girl Child, USAID Administrator Gayle Smith discusses U.S. efforts to achieve gender equality, including Feed the Future’s Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index, the U.S. Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls, and the Let Girls Learn initiative (10/11).

WHO: Girls’ Progress equals Goals’ Progress: What Counts for Girls
In a statement marking the day, the WHO notes, “Girls have the right to grow and develop to their full potential. When girls are empowered, it benefits all. Empowered girls grow into empowered women who can care better for themselves and their families, increase their earning potential, serve as active and equal citizens and change agents, and spur economic growth for communities and nations” (10/11).