Girls' Vision for the Future

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in his message for this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, emphasized the limitless potential of the world’s girls. However, as the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals approaches, the world continues to fail girls.

Guterres highlighted the challenges girls face globally: “Girls account for more than 70 percent of new adolescent HIV infections and are almost twice as likely as boys to miss out on education or training. One in five girls globally is married before the age of 18,” he said. He also pointed out that hard-won gains for gender equality are being erased in many parts of the world, with attacks on the fundamental rights of women and girls endangering their lives, restricting their choices, and limiting their futures.

This year’s theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” reflects the strength of girls’ aspirations for their own future. Guterres noted that girls already have a vision of a world where they can thrive and are working to turn that vision into action. “Girls are demanding that their voices be heard. It is high time we listened,” he stated. He underscored the importance of providing girls with a seat at the table, ensuring they have access to education, resources, and opportunities to lead.

Secretary-General Guterres concluded by acknowledging the courage, hope, and determination of girls as a force to be reckoned with. “The world must step up now and help transform their vision into reality,” he urged.