What is International Day of the Girl?

Oct. 11 marks International Day of the Girl.

President Barack Obama noted in a recent proclamation that the day recognizes "our obligation to lift up women and girls at home and abroad" and to "build a world where girls feel safe and empowered in their classrooms, their communities and their homes."

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The U.N. General Assembly's UN Women points out that the 1.1 billion girls around the world are a "powerful constituency" for shaping a better world.

But there are many issues, including child marriage, that prevent girls from living their best lives.

The theme of this year's International Day of the Girl is "Girls' Progress = Goals' Progress: A Global Girl Data Movement." It's a call to action for better investment and analyzing girl-focused data. The hope is by recognizing and closing the gaps in data and knowledge about what girls need, young women will be empowered.