National Girl Child Day

Young girls standing together with determined expressions, wearing colorful clothes and accessories, surrounded by books and school supplies.. — National girl child day illustration

Oh, bless the individual who came up with the glorious idea of National Girl Child Day, presumably after receiving a well-deserved eye roll from a spunky ten-year-old. It's a day that makes us pause our frantic lives, sit down on our now suddenly astonishingly comfortable chairs, and appreciate the amazing girls who come with a no-nonsense attitude and a heart full of dreams. Celebrated in many parts of the world, it's a day dedicated to highlighting, acknowledging, and tackling the challenges girls face, because after all, girls run the world, or will soon enough.

When is Girl Child Day?

It's national girl child day on the 24th January.

An Inception to Remember

While the world wide web started buzzing about National Girl Child Day only in recent years, with our data showing around 39648 online mentions, the topic carries a lot more heft in real life. On this day, organizations illuminate the importance of education, health, and rights that should be provided to every young girl. Remember the 24th January 2021? Nearly broke the internet with people showering a landslide of love and positive messages for their dear girls.

Celebrating the Girl Power

The day is a combination of showers of affection for the young damsels along with serious discussions on important issues like child marriage, discrimination, and lack of educational resources. When celebrated as a national day, it aims to foster an environment where girls are not only born but are welcomed, cherished, and cared for without any prejudice.

How the Internet Celebrates

In true internet style, the celebration of National Girl Child Day is usually marked by an avalanche of heartwarming posts and stories online - messages of encouragement, drawings by parents and friends, and memories shared under the banner of #NationalGirlChildDay. It is indeed a sight to behold.

Fun and Interesting Ways to Mark the Day

Got a girl child in your life? Maybe it's time to celebrate the uniqueness of being a girl! Read girl empowering books together, take her to that sport she's always wanted to try - remember it’s about awareness and fun. Or if she's passionate about archery or space science? Dive in! As they say, the internet could flood, but her enthusiasm shouldn't!

History behind the term 'Girl Child'

1792

The Origin of the Word 'Girl'

The term 'girl' has its roots in the English language. It can be traced back to the Old English word 'gyrele', meaning 'a young person of any sex'. In Middle English, it evolved to 'girle' and finally became 'girl' as we know it today. Initially, the term was used interchangeably for both boys and girls.

12th Century

Differentiating 'Girl' and 'Boy'

In the 12th century, the term 'girl' started to be specifically associated with young females, while 'boy' was used for young males. This linguistic distinction helped create a clearer understanding of gender roles and expectations.

19th Century

Introducing 'Child' as a Gender-Neutral Term

During the 19th century, there was a growing awareness of gender equality and the need for inclusive language. In this context, the term 'child' emerged as a more gender-neutral alternative to 'boy' and 'girl'. This change reflected a shift towards recognizing the rights and agency of all young individuals, regardless of their gender.

20th Century

Empowering Girls with 'Girl Child'

In the 20th century, the compound term 'girl child' gained popularity, especially in advocacy and development contexts. It was used to highlight the specific challenges faced by young girls and emphasize the importance of their rights and well-being. 'Girl child' aimed to bring attention to gender disparities and promote initiatives focused on education, health, and empowerment for girls worldwide.

Did you know?

Did you know, the United Nations observes October 11 as International Day of the Girl Child to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges they face around the world? Now, get a head start and mark that on your calendar too!