International Day of the Girl Child (October 11, 2022)

The International Day of the Girl Child, which was launched 10 years ago by the United Nations, aims to draw attention to the challenges and discrimination faced by girls, adolescent girls and young women in order to ensure that they will be on equal footing with boys in the future.

Today, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is taking part in an event promoting political and civic participation among adolescent girls and young women, which was organized by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs together with the NGO Plan International France.

Promoting political and civic participation among young people, and, in particular, girls, adolescent girls and young women, is one of France’s development and international solidarity priorities. The specific challenges that they face will be illustrated by firsthand accounts from young women working on girls’ empowerment in Togo, girls’ education in Mozambique, the fight against climate disruption and the fight against child marriage and forced marriage in Bangladesh.

France adopted a feminist diplomacy in 2019 and has established gender equality as a political priority, including with regard to education. France actively promotes girls’ and young women’s full, equal, whole and effective participation in decision-making processes and in political, economic, social and cultural life. Additionally, France promotes their participation in peace processes at every level of responsibility, thereby contributing to development that is just, equitable and sustainable. France actively supports feminist organizations through a support fund that was recently renewed, per the announcement made at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.