On October 11, 2025, the world paused—at least for a moment—to recognize International Day of the Girl, a United Nations–established observance dedicated to amplifying young women’s voices and highlighting the persistent inequalities they face. This year, the day was marked by a surge of high-profile advocacy, heartfelt gestures, and new commitments to the fight for girls’ rights, with leading figures like Michelle Obama and Meghan Markle stepping into the spotlight.
In a rousing demonstration of support for girls’ education, the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance announced a pledge of $2.5 million to dozens of grassroots organizations working in some of the world’s most economically disadvantaged areas. The pledge, revealed on International Day of the Girl, aims to help adolescent girls overcome a host of barriers—from the cost of schooling to the entrenched patriarchal practices that still force millions into child marriage or early motherhood.
"These groups are changing the way girls see themselves in their own communities and in our world, helping create the leaders we need for the brighter future we all deserve," said former First Lady Michelle Obama in a video message released for the occasion. "Because when our girls succeed, we all do." According to the Associated Press, the Alliance’s support extends to covering school-related costs, counseling survivors of sexual abuse, and offering other critical forms of assistance to girls aged 10 to 19.
The need for such support is urgent. Nearly three-quarters of the 119 million girls out of school worldwide are of secondary school age, according to UNICEF. Even more troubling, the UN agency projects that a 24% drop in global education funding from wealthy countries will push an additional six million girls out of classrooms by the end of 2026. Tiffany Drake, Executive Director of the Girls Opportunity Alliance, put it plainly: "The need right now, I think more than ever, is crucial. We were just in Mauritius and we heard it time and time again that organizations need funding. They need support."
Earlier this month, the Alliance convened members of its network from Asia and Africa in Mauritius, a gathering Drake described as perhaps the most moving yet. Local leaders, many working with little more than determination and hope, shared stories of the immense challenges they face—and the transformative impact that even modest funding can have. Jackie Bomboma, founder of the Young Strong Mothers Foundation in Tanzania and a recipient of the Alliance’s latest grants, said the Obama Foundation’s endorsement not only brings financial support but also boosts credibility and opens doors to further resources. Her organization provides psychological services, vocational and entrepreneurship training, and sexual health education to hundreds of girls at risk of child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and school dropout. "We call ourselves 'watoto wa Michelle Obama,' which means 'the children of Michelle Obama,'" Bomboma said, expressing the pride and inspiration the former First Lady brings to her and those she serves.
The Girls Opportunity Alliance fund is designed for flexibility and impact. Grants of up to $50,000 are available for specific projects, not general operations, and recipients gain access to monthly training sessions and in-person gatherings with major organizations like UNICEF and Save the Children. The Alliance also amplifies fundraising efforts by promoting GoFundMe campaigns across its social media platforms and donor networks, leveraging its considerable reach to support organizations in remote or underserved locations. As Drake explained, "We didn’t want to just tell people and say, ‘Google how you can help.’ We wanted to give them a place where they can take action."
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic—and the internet—Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, marked International Day of the Girl in her own intimate way. On October 11, she shared a rare photo of her four-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet, on Instagram. The image, taken on the scenic grounds of their Montecito home, shows Meghan holding hands with Lilibet, both dressed casually and radiating warmth. The post’s caption was a rallying call: "To all the girls - this world is yours. Do everything you can to protect your rights, use your voice, support each other. We will do the same for you. It's your right and our responsibility. Go get 'em, girl! Happy International Day of the Girl." Meghan also posted a video clip of Lilibet happily running on the grass, a moment that captured the hope and innocence at the heart of the day’s message.
Meghan and Prince Harry, who have two children—Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four—have become increasingly vocal about children’s rights and well-being. Just two days before International Day of the Girl, the couple were named "Humanitarians of the Year" at Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Gala in New York. While accepting the award, Meghan reflected on the challenges of raising children in an increasingly digital world: "Our children, Archie and Lili, are just six and four years old. Luckily still too young for social media, but we know that day is coming. Like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology's benefits, while safeguarding against its dangers." Harry echoed the sentiment, calling this "a pivotal moment in our collective mission to protect children and support families in a digital age."
The couple’s advocacy is not confined to speeches and social media. Through their Archewell Foundation, launched in 2020, they partner with key organizations and leaders to identify needs, build initiatives, and drive long-term change. According to their official website, the foundation’s mission is to "drive long-term change" through meaningful partnerships and immediate action.
Their commitment to service was on display again the next day, when Meghan and Harry were spotted enjoying lunch with tennis legend Serena Williams at Soho House in New York. The outing, which followed their gala appearance, drew attention not just for the star power at the table, but for the ongoing friendship and mutual support between Meghan and Serena—a relationship that has weathered both public scrutiny and private challenges. Serena has often spoken out in support of Meghan, once describing her as "the epitome of strength, the epitome of confidence, the epitome of just selflessness." She added, "I just think that she is the strongest person I know. I don't know anyone else that could handle anything on such a global scale the way that she's had to handle things that are just untrue - minute after minute."
International Day of the Girl is more than a date on the calendar; it’s a global call to action. Whether through the funding of grassroots organizations, the sharing of personal stories, or the public celebration of girls’ promise and potential, the day’s events underscored a simple truth: when girls are empowered, everyone benefits. From the halls of the United Nations to the gardens of Montecito, the message resounded—loud, clear, and, this year, impossible to ignore.