Photos Celebrate the Glory of Girls on 'International Day of the Girl'
October 11, 2025, marked the ninth annual International Day of the Girl, a global celebration of the empowerment and rights of girls worldwide. On this day, photojournalist Danielle Villasana's poignant images captured the resilience and determination of girls like Yefreannys Isamar Muñoz López, who had trekked hundreds of miles from Venezuela to the United States-Mexico border with her father.
Villasana's photograph, taken in 2023, shows Yefreannys working on math equations with her father Alexander Jesus González Rodríguez near the Paso del Norte Bridge. The image was made after they had waited for an appointment with U.S. Customs and Border Protection representatives. "She was just so happy, so full of joy, not complaining, not upset," Villasana recalls.
The International Day of the Girl is a United Nations-recognized holiday that aims to highlight the challenges girls face in accessing education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. According to UNICEF, an estimated 12 million girls worldwide are at risk of being married before the age of 18, while 20% of girls in developing countries have never attended school.
In a statement, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous emphasized the importance of investing in girls' education and empowerment: "Girls are not just the future, they are the present. We must recognize their rights, amplify their voices, and create opportunities for them to thrive."
Villasana's photographs have been featured in various international publications, showcasing the strength and determination of girls like Yefreannys, who face incredible challenges in their daily lives. "I've met so many girls over the years who are just trying to survive, but they're also fighting for a better future," Villasana notes.
As the world marks another International Day of the Girl, organizations and governments are calling for increased investment in programs that support girls' education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. The United Nations has launched a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of girls' education, with a focus on reaching 12 million more girls by 2030.
In the words of Yefreannys's father, Alexander Jesus González Rodríguez, "My daughter is my hope for the future. I want her to have opportunities that I never had."
*Reporting by Npr.*
