# International Day of the Girl Child advocacy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/international-day-of-the-girl-child-advocacy > Updated: 2026-10-12T11:08:00.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 3. The 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, observed on October 11, continues to focus on the theme ‘End child marriage and invest in girls’ rights’. Global data remains critical, with United Nations figures indicating that over 12 million girls enter marriage before age 18 annually—approximately every three seconds. While legal reforms and educational investments have helped prevent an estimated 68 million child marriages over the last 25 years, systemic challenges persist. In Sub-Saharan Africa, child marriage rates remain high at approximately 31 percent. In Serbia, 2025 data from the Republic Institute for Social Protection recorded 197 victims of child marriage, with girls comprising 96.43 percent of cases. Organizations such as SOS Children's Villages Serbia noted that poverty, unemployment, and gender norms often drive these practices. Humanitarian organizations have expanded warnings to include female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual violence. Over 230 million women and girls live with the consequences of FGM, with an additional 4.5 million expected to be exposed by 2026. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, sexual violence is frequently used as a tool of war; in 2025, 1,534 victims of conflict-related sexual violence were recorded in the DRC, primarily in North and South Kivu. Globally, recorded cases of such violence reached 9,788 in 2025, which is more than double the figures from 2024. Climate change and educational barriers remain significant drivers of instability. Research from Plan International shows that 36% of surveyed girls reported increases in child marriage following climate shocks. Additionally, 133 million girls are currently out of school globally, including more than 2.4 million girls in Afghanistan who are denied secondary education. Following the 2026 observance, specific advocacy and commemorative activities have emerged. In Lesotho, the ‘Her Voice, Her Justice’ campaign is targeting child marriage, sexual violence, and exploitation. ## Claims - Bursa Metropolitan Municipality organized a special art workshop at Zindankapı for International Day of the Girl Child. (single source) - The workshop was titled 'From the Stones of History to the Sky: Leave a Story at Zindankapı'. (single source) - The event targeted girls between the ages of 6 and 12. (single source) - Activities included stone painting and storytelling workshops. (single source) - Various events were held in Yozgat to celebrate International Day of the Girl Child. (single source) - Celebrations in Yozgat included cake cutting, cultural trips, and science and technology workshops. (single source) - The Sarıkaya Social Service Center conducted home visits to provide gifts to children benefiting from Ministry service models. (single source) - A cultural trip to Samsun was organized for children who have lost parents and their families. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-12: Turkey celebrates International Day of the Girl Child with local events Municipalities across Turkey held various events, including school visits and art workshops, to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child and promote female empowerment. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-celebrates-international-day-of-the-girl-child-with-regional-events ### 2026-10-12: International Day of the Girl Child: Global calls to end child marriage Global advocates mark the International Day of the Girl Child by calling for an end to child marriage and increased investment in girls' rights, education, and economic empowerment. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/international-day-of-the-girl-child-initiatives-launched-in-haiti-and-niger ### 2026-10-08: International Day of the Girl Child calls for end to child marriage Observed on October 11, the International Day of the Girl Child 2026 focuses on ending child marriage and investing in girls' rights to combat global inequality and violence. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unicef-marks-international-day-of-the-girl-with-call-to-end-child-marriage --- Cite as: International Day of the Girl Child advocacy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/international-day-of-the-girl-child-advocacy