- July 25, the International Day for Women and Girls of African Descent, is more than a date on the calendar.
- It is for the one who has been made to feel invisible, yet still chooses to show up and speak out. For every African woman who has had to fight to be heard, to be seen, to be valued—this day belongs to her.
July 25, the International Day for Women and Girls of African Descent, is more than a date on the calendar.
It is a recognition of beauty that has long been overlooked, of strength that has often been taken for granted, and of voices that have, for generations, been silenced or ignored.
This day was officially established by the United Nations and was first observed globally in 2024, making today only its second celebration. It was born out of a need to address the specific and compounded discrimination that women and girls of African descent face around the world.
Rooted in the broader mission of the International Decade for People of African Descent, the day was created to offer a moment of reflection, recognition, and renewed commitment to justice.
It draws inspiration from grassroots movements—particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean—where July 25 had already been commemorated since 1992 as International Afro-descendant Women’s Day.
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That historic gathering in the Dominican Republic saw hundreds of Afro-descendant women unite to speak boldly about racism, exclusion, and gender inequality, and to demand that their lives and experiences be taken seriously.
For the African girl growing up in a world that rarely sees her as enough, today is a reminder that she is more than enough. It is a declaration that her hair, her skin, her story, and her dreams all matter deeply.
It tells her that even in a world that has tried to define her worth by struggle, she is defined by resilience, by brilliance, by possibility. This day is for the girl who walks into classrooms and boardrooms and marketplaces, carrying the weight of expectation and the hope of generations before her.
It is for the woman who nurtures families, who holds entire communities together through quiet courage and tireless work. It is for the woman who has been told to shrink, yet continues to rise and take up space.
It is for the one who has been made to feel invisible, yet still chooses to show up and speak out. For every African woman who has had to fight to be heard, to be seen, to be valued—this day belongs to her.
The International Day for Women and Girls of African Descent exists not just to celebrate, but to confront painful truths. Around the world, African-descended women and girls still face disproportionate barriers in access to education, healthcare, employment, safety, and leadership.
They are often the backbone of progress yet remain underrepresented, underpaid, and underappreciated. This day was created to shine a light on those injustices—and to recognize the enduring power of those who keep rising in spite of them.
And yet, even in the face of these challenges, she builds. She heals. She dreams. Across the continent and the diaspora, African women and girls are reshaping culture, challenging systems, and redefining what it means to lead.
They are the heartbeat of nations and the soul of movements. This day does not give them their worth—it simply reminds the world of what has always been true.
More than anything, today is about visibility. It is about telling that young girl that her voice matters, that her presence is powerful, and that she comes from a legacy of queens, warriors, poets, and pioneers.
It is about letting the African woman know that her labour is not in vain, that her pain is acknowledged, and that her joy is sacred.
As the sun rises on this July 25, may every African woman and girl feel seen. May she feel heard. May she feel celebrated—not just today, but every day. Because she is not just part of the story. She is the story. And the world is finally learning to listen.
