Millions of girls worldwide face significant challenges, yet they rise above adversity with strength and determination. On the International Day of the Girl (IDG), observed annually on Oct. 11, AHF teams will hold educational and empowerment events globally, honoring girls and giving them the resources they need to lead brighter, healthier lives. AHF’s wide-ranging events will include fashion shows, comprehensive sexuality education and health sessions, and the distribution of free menstrual health products.

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On this International Day of the Girl, AHF celebrates the power of young women and girls to shape a brighter future. Using a pinky promise signifies our commitment to stand with girls worldwide to ensure they have the resources they need to stay healthy and thrive.

Commemorations on IDG are vital for recognizing and eliminating the obstacles girls worldwide continue to face—such as unequal access to education and healthcare, and the threats of gender-based violence and child marriage in many parts of the world. With 75% of new HIV infections among adolescents occurring in girls and 122 million girls still out of school, AHF calls for bold action in communities everywhere to ensure they receive the education, healthcare, and protection they need to have an equal opportunity to succeed.

“On this International Day of the Girl, we honor the courage and resilience of girls across the globe. We are proud to support them through our Girls Act program, which empowers young women and girls with the support and knowledge they need to advocate for their health and rights,” said Terri Ford, Chief of Global Advocacy and Policy for AHF. “It is crucial that we take on the barriers they face and take meaningful action to eliminate them. We call upon governments, civil society, village elders, teachers, and parents to create a world where every girl can be healthy and thrive, free from stigma and inequality."

Learn more about Girls Act through this touching documentary that follows several program members and highlights their strength and resilience in overcoming the challenges of living with HIV.

Through Girls Act, AHF empowers young women and girls across 37 countries with knowledge, support, and resources. The program builds community leaders and advocates and provides girls with the tools they need to remain free from HIV (or on treatment if they are living with HIV), stay in school, and avoid unplanned pregnancies.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global non-profit organization providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to over 2 million people in 48 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. We are currently the largest non-profit provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the world. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare

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