At Bright Littles, we believe in equal rights for everyone—regardless of race, gender, or religion. In a world that often feels like it’s drifting away from equality, our commitment is stronger than ever: to educate and empower our littles with the hope of creating a brighter future, led by tomorrow’s thoughtful and kind leaders.

Every October 11th, the world comes together to celebrate International Day of the Girl—a day dedicated to recognizing the rights, power, and potential of girls everywhere. Teaching kids about this day is more important now than ever because it sparks conversations about fairness, equality, and what it means to create a world where all children can thrive.

When kids begin to understand the challenges too many girls still face—not only across the globe but also in our own communities—such as limited access to education, healthcare, and safety—they learn the power of empathy and the importance of standing up for what’s right. International Day of the Girl is not just an opportunity to talk—it’s a call to action to raise allies, advocates, and leaders who will help build a more inclusive future.

The Reality Girls and Women Still Face

In the U.S., about 1 in 5 women have experienced completed or attempted rape in their lifetimes. And while women are graduating from college at higher rates than men, they remain underrepresented in critical fields such as STEM and computing. The challenges don’t stop there—on average, women in the U.S. still earn only about 82 cents for every dollar earned by men, with even wider gaps for women of color.

Globally, the disparities are even more staggering. Around 50 million girls alive today have experienced sexual violence. In addition, more than 230 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in the 31 countries with representative data. In some places, the prevalence is almost total—such as Somalia, where an estimated 99% of girls are affected.

What Can We Do to Create Change?

Change starts with awareness, but it grows through action. Here are a few ways we can all help close the gaps and create safer, more equal opportunities for girls and women—both around the world and in our own communities:

• Start conversations early. Talk to kids about equality, respect, and safety. These conversations build empathy and set the foundation for future leaders. We know these discussions can feel overwhelming, which is why our Conversation Club breaks big topics into bite-sized, age-appropriate chats to educate and empower kiddos.
• Support girls in STEM. Encourage curiosity in science, math, and technology by providing resources, mentorship, and visibility for women role models in these fields. “When we invest in girls in STEM, we’re not just opening doors for them—we’re opening doors for solutions the world hasn’t even dreamed of yet.” – Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code
• Advocate for fair pay. Push for policies and workplace practices that close the wage gap, and support businesses that prioritize equity. When women are paid fairly, families have more financial security and spending power. In fact, studies show that closing the gender wage gap could add trillions of dollars to the global economy.
• Stand against violence. Educate yourself and others about sexual violence, harassment, and harmful practices like FGM. Support organizations working to end them—such as RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) in the U.S., UN Women, and Equality Now, which fights to protect the human rights of women and girls worldwide.
• Model change at home. Children learn first at home—what they see becomes the blueprint they carry into the world. When we model kindness, fairness, and respect, they bring those values into their schools, friendships, and future communities.

Together, we can build a world where every girl is safe, valued, and empowered to reach her full potential.

✨ Final Thought:
By teaching kids about International Day of the Girl, we’re not just celebrating girls—we’re helping shape a generation that values equality, kindness, and justice. Together, we can raise children who believe in a world where every girl has the chance to reach her full potential.

Want to keep the conversation going? 

We know it takes a village to raise a child—and a village of tools, too. That’s why we created the Bright Littles Favorite Tool Shop now on Amazon. From the books we love for talking about sex ed, puberty, and menstruation, to the calming tools I’ve used with my own daughter for anxiety and nerves—you’ll find our go-tos all in one place. Keep the conversations going with Bright Littles.