African Women and Girls' Day: Recognizing Strength and Resilience

Twenty-fifth of July. In the UN calendar, this date is marked with a special sign — International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent. This is not just another item on the list of international holidays. It is a moment when the world stops to see those who have been too long overlooked. Women and girls whose voices have been muted for centuries, whose achievements have remained in the shadows, and whose struggles have been undervalued. This day is not only about acknowledging their contribution but also about the commitment to change the systemic injustice they face every day.

When and How This Day Came About

The International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent was established by the United Nations General Assembly in August 2024 through resolution A/RES/78/323. The idea of its creation did not come out of nowhere — it was a logical continuation of the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024), which was proclaimed by the UN to combat racism, discrimination, and xenophobia. The first official celebration took place on July 25, 2025, and since then, this day has been marked annually.

The decision of the UN was a response to the systemic inequality that women and girls of African descent face in all spheres of life. As noted in the resolution, they remain one of the most marginalized groups in the world due to racial, gender, and socio-economic discrimination. This day aims not only to pay tribute to their contribution to culture, politics, economy, and public life but also to draw attention to the issues of racism, discrimination, and gender inequality.

Why This Day Is Necessary Today

The numbers speak for themselves. According to UN data, women of African descent face significant barriers in access to education, health, and employment. According to UNESCO's 2023 report, about 35% of girls in Sub-Saharan African countries do not complete primary education, and the continuation of education among girls is 20% lower than among boys. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the access to education for girls of African descent is 15–18% lower than the rest of the population.

In the field of health, the situation is no less alarming. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there are 533 maternal mortality cases for every 100,000 births — almost 10 times the global average. The UNAIDS program indicates that 59% of women living with HIV are African. These numbers reflect structural racial biases embedded in health systems.

Women and girls of African descent continue to face multiple forms of violence — both in real life and on the internet. Those who hold political positions often become victims of hate speech, harassment, and misogyny. Women migrants of African descent are subjected to racial insults, sexual violence, and are at risk of becoming trafficking victims.

Recognizing the Contributions Long Ignored

Despite all the obstacles, women and girls of African descent have been making invaluable contributions to the development of their societies for centuries. They have worked in science, literature, politics, sports, and the arts. They have preserved the cultural memory, traditions, and heritage of African peoples, passing them down from generation to generation even in conditions of slavery and colonization. Their role as leaders, keepers of cultural heritage, and defenders of social justice often remained unrecognized.

In recent years, the situation has begun to change. In some regions, women of African descent have reached the highest levels of political representation, gaining access to positions from which they were systematically excluded for a long time. Their struggle has become key in movements for racial justice and has deepened the understanding of intersectional discrimination.

The International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent is an opportunity not only to recognize these achievements but also to inspire new generations. As UN experts emphasize, it is time to move from symbolic gestures to real actions: investing in education, dismantling harmful stereotypes, and ensuring representation of women of African descent in leadership positions.

What Needs to Be Done: From Words to Deeds

Improving the status of women and girls of African descent requires a comprehensive approach based on human rights, respect for cultural traditions, and inclusive decision-making. Governments, institutions, and communities must commit to eliminating discriminatory structures and investing in initiatives ensuring equal access to education, health, and justice.

This means actively fighting against negative racial and gender stereotypes in the media, education, and at the state level. It is necessary to ensure significant representation of women of African descent in leadership positions in political, legal, and corporate spheres. It is also crucially important to support the collection of disaggregated data by race and gender for developing effective measures.

Finally, it is necessary to protect the rights and safety of activists, human rights defenders, and public leaders who fight for justice and equality. Only targeted actions will allow creating conditions where African women and girls can thrive.

Conclusion: A Day That Reminds of Duty

The International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent is not just a date on the calendar. It is a reminder that justice cannot be complete as long as at least one group remains in the shadows. It is a day when we honor those who have fought for centuries without recognition. And it is a day when we commit to change this. Women and girls of African descent embody strength, resilience, and a huge untapped potential. Their successes are the successes of all humanity. Their struggle is the struggle for all of us. And as long as we do not eliminate the barriers they face, we cannot consider ourselves truly free.

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