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International Day of the Girl

By Lily Iatridis

“Now more than ever, we must renew our commitment to work together so that girls enjoy and exercise their rights and can play a full and equal part in their communities and societies. Investing in girls is investing in our common future.”                                                  

~UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

What is International Day of the Girl (IDG)?

Created in 2011 by the United Nations General Assembly, International Day of the Girl takes place annually on October 11. The goal of IDG is to recognize the rights of girls and acknowledge the challenges young girls around the world face today. 

A lack of gender equality is a problem that many girls experience in their lives. But more than that, objectification, exploitation, forced marriage, exclusion from education, salaried employment, and vital medical care are some of the more nefarious problems girls around the world continue to face today.

International Day of the Girl is a day meant for the world to remember that girls everywhere need to be supported — not repressed or marginalized — throughout their formative years. This is the only way they can reach their full potential as leaders, entrepreneurs, workers, and heads of household. Girls represent one-half of humanity. They’re a vital force in solving the world’s problems and should be respected as such.

What are a few ways we can support girls in our community?

1. Share stories of women who can serve as role models for our girls.

2. Support local organizations that support girls.

3. Invite accomplished women in our community to meet and speak to our young girls.

4. Be diligent in developing our girl’s confidence and self-image as whole people, not as objects (of beauty).

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Janet LaBar

Executive Director​
jlabar@womensimpactfund.org

With more than 25 years of experience, Janet has a proven track record of leading organizations and teams in developing strategies that foster thriving communities. Her career is dedicated to the well-being of the places she serves, and the people and businesses within them, positioning her as a trusted sounding board, critical thinker, and purposeful protagonist across corporate, government, education, entrepreneurial, and civic spheres.
Janet joined Women’s Impact Fund in June 2025 to guide one of Charlotte’s most respected, women-led philanthropic organizations into its next phase of growth and impact. In partnership with the Women’s Impact Fund team, Board, Advisors, members, volunteers, and key community partners, she will continue strengthening communities by maximizing women’s leadership in philanthropy through collective giving, education, and engagement.
Inspired by her family, teams who dare greatly, and people and communities striving to be their best selves, Janet’s impactful career includes leadership roles as President and CEO of Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, President and CEO of Greater Portland Inc, and Chief Performance Officer of Greater Phoenix Economic Council. As a first-generation Filipino American, her lived experience deeply informs her professional drive to create equitable economic growth and opportunity in the metro areas she’s served.
She holds a BA in Communication Arts from the University of West Florida and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix. Janet and her husband James are proud parents to an older daughter, and a daughter and son who are twins.