In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted 11 October as the International Day of the Girl Child, recognizing girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.

The theme of this year's day is "The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030." Empowering girls will help the world achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, contained in Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. These ambitious goals aim to realize a world without extreme povery or gender inequality, and with universal access to education and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

UNFPA works to protect the health and rights of adolescent girls through comprehensive sexuality education; access to sexual and reproductive health counselling, information and services; and through encouraging girls' empowerment and participation in decisions affecting them. UNFPA also works with boys and men to advance gender equality, and to encourage the abandonment of harmful stereotypes, the embrace respectful, healthy relationships, and support for human rights of all people, everywhere.