Celebrating girls’ vision for the future

On 16 October 2024, UNESCO Headquarters in Paris came alive with vibrant energy for the International Day of the Girl celebration centred on the theme “Girls’ vision for the future.”

The evening showcased the transformative power of education in shaping the lives of girls around the world.

UNESCO launched a short film featuring girls from all corners of the globe sharing their visions of the school of the future. Their voices filled the room, speaking of a world where schools are places of safety, equality and opportunity. From playgrounds and personalized learning environments to greater mentorship and support, these young girls offered a bold roadmap for the future of education. 

Stefania Giannini, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education, delivered a powerful address, noting both the progress and setbacks for gender equality in education. “122 million girls are out of school worldwide,” she said, drawing attention to the barriers still facing girls, particularly in conflict areas like Afghanistan. “Many structural factors can hinder girls’ education, development, and civic participation. To achieve gender equality in education worldwide, we must continue our efforts by equipping girls and creating environments conducive to their success.”

The evening’s most awaited moment was the announcement of the laureates of the 2024 UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education. This year’s winners, Promoting Equality in African Schools (PEAS) Uganda and Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) Zambia are revolutionising how girls’ education is delivered in rural and underserved communities. This includes building safe, gender-responsive school environments in Uganda and supporting girls to complete and succeed in secondary school in Zambia.

“We have changed the lives of girls from low-resourced families, making their dreams come true, by enabling them to pursue an education that transforms not only just them, but the entire community. Our model is now being adapted in Ghana and Zambia,” explained Henry Senkasi, Country Director, PEAS Uganda during his acceptance speech.

Fiona Mavhinga, Executive Advisor of CAMFED Association, accepted the prize on behalf of CAMFED Zambia saying “For an individual girl, education changes everything. It’s her right, and it unlocks her power to choose who she will become and what she will do with her life.” 

“This year’s theme for the International Day of the Girl offers us an important opportunity to amplify the voices of girls on what their visions are for the future of education,” said Justine Sass, head of inclusion and gender equality in and through education at UNESCO, as she opened a panel discussion to hear perspectives from girls, young women, civil society, universities and governments.

During discussions, Elizabeth, a 15-year-old student from Costa Rica, linked to projects run by Sulá Batsú, a 2019 Prize laureate, captured the hearts of the audience as she shared her vision for a future "where schools adapt to students, not the other way around". Her candid reflections on the need for safe, inclusive spaces where every student is valued were a powerful reminder of why gender-transformative policies are crucial. 

Adina William Luwanda, a mentor with GLAMI Tanzania, a 2022 Prize laureate, shared her inspiring story of transitioning from being a mentee to mentoring over 220 girls. She spoke of the critical role mentorship plays in helping girls navigate challenges, stay in school and pursue their dreams. 

“We want our girls to be leaders of tomorrow. At Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education (PAGE), we are creating access to basic education through gender-responsive accelerated learning programs and digital skills initiatives, such as the Digital Inclusion Hub in rural Sindh,” said Fajer Rabia Pasha, Executive Director of PAGE, a 2023 Prize laureate. 

Zhou Zuoyu, Director of the International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (INRULED) under the auspices of UNESCO and Professor of Beijing Normal University explained the success of girls and women in STEM in China through concerted efforts to build environments of learning that provide a sense of belonging.  

Lawrence John Sanga, Principal Education Officer, Policy and Planning Department, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, highlighted the need to strengthen teacher training institutions as “when you educate the teachers, the teachers are role models,” he said.

The event also served as a platform to launch a new UNESCO initiative in partnership with Beijing Normal University aimed at enhancing digital skills for girls in Ghana and Tanzania. 

“As the African Union celebrates the 2024 Year of Education, and we look ahead to the 30th anniversary of the World Conference on Women in 2025, we must strive to ensure that every girl and boy is promised with a future they deserve. Together, let us commit to empowering the next generation through better and more inclusive education,” said Yu Jihong, the first woman President of Beijing Normal University.