4 ways to help girls around the world achieve their dreams

Here's how to celebrate International Day of the Girl.
By Victoria Rodriguez  on 
4 ways to help girls around the world achieve their dreams
In 2018, the International Day of the Girl is focused on giving girls the skills they'll need for the labor market. Credit: Bob Al-Greene / mashable

Millions of girls around the world simply don't have the same opportunities to succeed and thrive as boys.

There are too many reasons why girls are held back from reaching their full potential, but some of the unique challenges they face include poor education funding, limited access to menstrual supplies, and difficulty obtaining and using mobile phones and other digital technologies.

International Day of the Girl, an annual event held on Oct. 11, is a United Nations initiative designed to raise awareness of these problems while also promoting girls' empowerment and human rights.

This year, the UN is focusing on ensuring that girls develop the skills they need to be employable in the ever-changing, technology-driven labor market. Almost 1 billion girls and young women lack such skills, according to the Malala Fund's latest report.

But you can do something today to make sure all girls have a brighter, better tomorrow. Whether that means helping to fund a STEM program or supplying girls with school uniforms, you can make a difference.

"Even though sometimes people may think that if they do something small it won’t make a major impact, all those small things eventually come together to create big change," says Zuriel Oduwole, an education advocate, filmmaker, and founder of the Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up Foundation. "So whether you’re an individual or a corporation, there’s always things we can do to help those girls."

With that in mind, here are four quick and easy ways to support girls on this special day:

1. Donate to nonprofits that support girls' education.

Even if you don't have loads to contribute, any amount of money can help support girls around the world. Here are three education-based organizations to which you should consider donating.

The Malala Fund is an international nonprofit that works to ensure every girl gets 12 years of free, safe, quality education. Its efforts are focused in Afghanistan, Brazil, India, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey. Donations help fund programs, including activist training sessions and STEM lesson plans.

CARE works on a number of global issues, including disaster relief, economic development, education, food security, health, and women's empowerment. Their approach to supporting girls' education involves "identifying and addressing the unique barriers that keep girls out of school."

A donation of $44 can provide a school with a new blackboard; $74 can supply textbooks and school supplies; and, $260 can give 10 girls a week-long training to develop leadership and other important life skills. Your contribution can also help grant a scholarship or supply school uniforms.

She's the First uses education, mentorship, and global leadership training to support girls who will be the first in their families to graduate from high school. If you donate, you'll be matched to a group of She's the First Scholars and get the chance to see how your funds are impacting the girls and their communities.

2. Provide girls with menstrual supplies.

According to a May 2018 report published by the United Nations Population Fund, girls are more likely to miss school or drop out if they can't manage their periods.

Volunteering for Days for Girls International is a great way to address this issue. The organization's volunteer program is organized into teams and chapters, in which groups of people meet to sew and assemble Days for Girls Kits. One of the kits, the Supreme Days for Girls Kit, includes shields, liners, panties, soap, a washcloth, a menstrual chart and illustrated instructions, freezer bags, and a drawstring bag. If want to get involved, click here to find a team or chapter near you.

Pads4Girls is a separate initiative run by the company Lunapads. Pads4Girls has provided more than 17,000 people in 18 nations with sustainable menstrual hygiene products. You can donate to Lunapads' global opportunity fund here.

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3. Give girls access to mobile phones.

A new report published by Girl Effect and the Vodafone Foundation shows boys are 1.5 times more likely to own a phone and 1.8 times more likely to own a smartphone. You can learn more about how both organizations are trying to empower girls with mobile technology. If you'd like to support Girl Effect, you can email [email protected] to learn how to get involved, or you can follow their social media channels, including Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. You can also reach out to education activist Zuriel Oduwole if you're looking for other ways to help.

4. Share the hashtags #DayOfTheGirl, #girlsandmobile, and #LeaveNoGirlBehind.

While some critics say hashtag activism is not effective, Oduwole argues otherwise, explaining how sharing experiences and spreading awareness through social media is the first step to making change.

"One of the ways you can help is by speaking because there’s a lot of power in words," she says. "I think speaking to people and bringing more awareness to certain issues girls face around the world can create big impact because if there’s enough conversation, then it grabs the attention of corporations and people that can make bigger change, as well."

So if you're scrolling through Twitter or Instagram today, make sure to look out for the hashtags listed above. You'll recognize #DayOfTheGirl by its bright pink emoji.

While the reality is that girls around the world are routinely deprived of opportunities, it's also true that there are so many ways you can help them succeed. And there's no better time to start than #DayOfTheGirl.


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