Dear John

International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) is Saturday, October 11, and Equality Now is eager to devote the upcoming weeks to the wellbeing of girls and adolescents, including through the Equality Culture Club. As guardians, mentors, and community members, we have a responsibility to help create the next generation of changemakers and to support girls in becoming brave, independent women. Together, we can take action to build a gender-equal world, free of discrimination, where all women and girls can live happily, safely, and freely.

Recommendations for guardians

Many people are familiar with the quote "Here's to strong women, may we know them. May we be them. May we raise them." As global citizens, we have a responsibility to shape the next generation, ensuring that children and adolescents become compassionate, strong individuals who can self-advocate and thrive. Below are two media recommendations that may help guide your journey as a guardian or mentor.

2. Raising Worry-Free Girls: Helping Your Daughter Feel Braver, Stronger, and Smarter in an Anxious World by Sissy Goff
   

   With anxiety rates on the rise, particularly amongst girls, “Raising Worry-Free Girls” has become more important than ever. This book provides practical advice for raising brave, strong girls, and many readers have claimed it’s helped them in their own healing journeys as well.

Recommendations for children

In the words of Toni Morrison, “Books are knowledge. Books are reflection. Books change your mind." The following recommendations promote the importance of gender-equality, feature strong protagonists, and encourage girls to claim their space – all to help positively shape the minds of the next generation.

1. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison

   “Little Leaders” is a New York Times Bestseller that features the stories of 40 incredible Black women throughout history. In these pages, children will have the opportunity to discover heroes and role models like Mary Seacole and Katherine Johnson.

   
   

2. 111 Trees: How one village celebrates the birth of every girl by Rina Singh

   The winner of multiple awards, including the Social Justice Literature Award and Best Children’s Books List, “111 Trees" shares the true story of an environmental movement in a village in North India, where 111 trees are planted for the birth of every girl. The result is a transformed landscape with over a quarter of a million trees planted today and increased opportunities for women.

Malala’s newest book, a memoir, will be released Oct. 21, 2025. We are thrilled to honor her at this year’s Make Equality Reality Gala as the recipient of the Equality Now Trailblazer Award.

4. I Am Hua Mulan by Qin Wenjun

   “I Am Hua Mulan” is a retelling of the popular legend of Mulan in which a girl disguises herself as a boy to replace her father in battle. The book includes a translation of the famous poem “Song of Mulan”.

   
   

5. Feminism is for Boys by Elizabeth Rhodes

   “Feminism is for Boys” is a board book that highlights how gendered stereotypes hurt everyone, boys and girls alike. In its 22 pages, readers will see the value of a world where everyone can be their authentic selves and feminism is the norm.

   
   

6. Anjali Can! By Sheetal Sheth

   In this third book in the Anjali series, Anjali works to prevent her local community center’s closure and shows the power one individual can have in enacting change.

For more recommendations for young readers, peruse long-term Equality Now supporter Sheetal Sheth’s favorite children’s and young adult fiction.

Equality Now offers a School Group Initiative for middle school, high school, and university aged students. School clubs help fuel awareness, gather support, and raise funds for women and girls worldwide. By working alongside other similarly motivated peers and community members, students can create a ripple effect that changes lives. Sign up for the School Group Initiative today.

Recommendation on the topic of child marriage

This year’s IDGC focus is child marriage, a grave human rights violation that impacts every continent, except Antarctica. Each year, 12 million girls are married as children around the world. This is unacceptable and also doesn’t have to be our reality. Ahead of IDGC, we encourage you to learn more about this important topic.

1. American Child Bride: A History of Minors and Marriage in the United States by Nicholas L. Syrett

   This groundbreaking novel uncovers the truth behind child marriage in the United States, a problem that continues to this day. He follows the issue from the colonial era to present day, and he delves into the ways individuals, communities, and movements have challenged the practice and related cultural norms, making change possible.

Are you based in the United States? 34 US states still lack laws that prohibit child marriage, and the hundreds of thousands of girls married as children pay a heavy price for the rest of their lives. You can make a difference by downloading our sample letters and writing to your representative to share why ending child marriage matters to you.

We want to hear from you! Share your suggestions and media recommendations, such as podcasts, movies, plays, books, and more, for Equality Now’s Equality Culture Club today.