On Friday, Oct. 11, brands and organizations celebrated International Day of the Girl, a day dedicated to highlighting and addressing the challenges girls face, while promoting female empowerment. Girls around the world woke up on Oct. 11 to an energized rallying cry for empowerment and equality. We’re rounding up some of our favorite International Day of the Girl celebrations, from poignant new ads tackling the gender pay gap to online and in-person events that gave girls the chance to connect with each other about the causes they care most about – and we can’t forget this inspirational message from Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex:
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New Ads from Citi Take on the Gender Pay Gap
To align with International Day of the Girl, Citi released a series of heart-wrenching new advertisements as part of its initiative to recruit and promote more women into senior roles. The ads feature young girls talking about their career aspirations. They speak passionately about wanting to become teachers, doctors, engineers, veterinarians and more, only to be told that women generally get paid less than men.
The spots, made up of candid interviews and photographs, capture the girls’ immediate reaction to learning about the gender pay gap. The shock, disappointment and confusion on the girls’ faces serves as a reminder that everyone should feel that way about the gender pay gap and Citi urges everyone –male or female – to avoid complacency when it comes to equal rights.
Beyond making an effort to champion gender equality in its marketing, Citi has also committed to increasing female representation at the assistant vice president through managing director levels to 40 percent globally by the end of 2021.
#MarchForSisterhood with Girls Who Code
Meanwhile, Girls Who Code took a different approach to celebrating girl power on International Day of the Girl. The nonprofit organization teamed up with Tik Tok to host #MarchForSisterhood, the first-ever all-digital “march,” during which women and girls shared videos of themselves and their networks rallying around the causes they care most about.
Girls were encouraged to create content in which they were the leading role, emphasizing that girls aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow, they’re the leaders of today, according to Girls Who Code CEO Reshma Saujani.
Creators for Good Hosts #SheCanSTEM Summit
Here at the Ad Council, we celebrated International Day of the Girl by bringing more than 60 celebrities and digital talent together with inspiring women in STEM careers for a day-long summit focused on empowering girls in science, technology, engineering and math. #SheCanSTEM Summit attendees included Sofie Dossi, Addison Riecke, Lilia Buckingham, Lilly Ketchman, Katherine Castro, Kyla-Drew Simmons and Trinitee Stokes, among many others.
During the event, TigerBeat’s executive editor Ali Booth hosted a panel with Mari Takahashi, Olivia Rodrigo and Daniella Perkins, who spoke about the importance of using their platforms to empower and inspire young girls. A group of female STEM role models from leading companies and organizations then took the stage to talk about their own career journeys and why it’s critical that we strive for diversity in STEM. The GEM Sisters wrapped up the event by hosting a live slime-making demonstration, moderated by digital creator Penny Tovar. The takeaway from the event? If she can STEM, so can you!
International Day of the Girl is just one moment in the year to celebrate the unlimited potential of girls around the world. With activations from big brands, encouragement from influential leaders and our support, we can make it a global priority to not only give girls the equal opportunity they deserve, but also the confidence to make their dreams a reality.
