International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent
July 25
About International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent
The International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent takes place every year on 25 July. Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2024, the day recognises the contributions of women and girls of African descent across the world while drawing attention to the overlapping forms of discrimination they continue to face. It is observed for the first time as an official UN international day on 25 July 2025, and falls on Saturday, 25 July 2026.
What is the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent?
The International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent is a United Nations observance held annually on 25 July. It celebrates the achievements, leadership and resilience of women and girls of African descent in every region of the world, and calls for renewed global action to eliminate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The day was established by the UN General Assembly through Resolution A/RES/78/323, adopted on 13 August 2024. It is closely tied to the broader International Decade for People of African Descent and the wider movement for racial and gender justice.
When is the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent?
The day is held on 25 July every year. In 2026 it falls on Saturday, 25 July. The date is fixed and does not change from year to year. It was deliberately chosen to coincide with a date already significant to Afro-descendant women’s movements: 25 July had been commemorated since 1992 as the International Day of Afro-Latin American, Afro-Caribbean and Diaspora Women, also known as Afro-descendant Women’s Day.
Why the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent Matters
Women and girls of African descent often experience discrimination on more than one front at once, facing prejudice linked to both race and gender. According to the United Nations, this intersecting discrimination contributes to higher rates of poverty, barriers to education, limited access to quality healthcare, and persistent underrepresentation in political and economic decision-making. A dedicated international day gives these realities visibility on the global stage and creates a focal point for governments, civil society and communities to commit to change. It also celebrates the immense contributions that women and girls of African descent have made to culture, science, politics, the arts and social movements, contributions that have too often gone unrecognised. By honouring both struggle and achievement, the day reframes the conversation around dignity, equality and recognition.
How to Get Involved in the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent
There are many meaningful ways to mark the day, whether you are an individual, an educator, an employer or a community organisation.
- Learn the history – Read about the 1992 gathering in the Dominican Republic and the wider Afro-descendant women’s movement so you understand the roots of the date and why it matters.
- Amplify Afro-descendant voices – Share the work, writing, art and activism of women and girls of African descent on social media and within your networks, crediting creators directly.
- Support Black-led organisations – Donate to or volunteer with groups led by women of African descent that work on education, health, justice and economic empowerment.
- Read works by Black women authors – Use the day as a prompt to pick up books, essays and poetry by women of African descent, and recommend them to others.
- Host a discussion or event – Schools, workplaces and community groups can run a panel, talk or learning session that centres the experiences of women and girls of African descent.
- Mentor and sponsor – Champion the careers and education of young women and girls of African descent through mentorship, scholarships or fair hiring and promotion practices.
- Examine your own organisation – Review whether your workplace or institution offers genuine equality of opportunity, and act on any gaps you find.
- Follow UN resources – Engage with materials published by UN Women and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to stay informed about the day’s themes.
History of the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent
The roots of the day stretch back to 25 July 1992, when around 300 women from 32 Latin American and Caribbean countries gathered in the Dominican Republic. The meeting brought together activists to build strategies for political advocacy and to confront racism through the lens of gender. Out of this historic gathering came the Network of Afro-Latin American, Afro-Caribbean and Diaspora Women, a movement dedicated to the empowerment and recognition of Afro-descendant women.
The date itself carried deliberate symbolism. It fell close to the 500th anniversary of the European arrival in the Americas, an event bound up with the transatlantic trafficking and enslavement of African people. By claiming 25 July, the women turned a date associated with historic injustice into one of solidarity, visibility and forward-looking action. From 1992 onwards, 25 July was commemorated across Latin America and the Caribbean as Afro-descendant Women’s Day.
The observance gained global recognition decades later. On 13 August 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/78/323, formally proclaiming 25 July as the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent. The first official observance under the UN banner took place on 25 July 2025. The proclamation sits within the framework of the International Decade for People of African Descent, reinforcing a sustained international commitment to recognition, justice and development for people of African descent everywhere.
Noteworthy Facts About the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent
- The day was proclaimed by UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/78/323, adopted on 13 August 2024.
- The first official UN observance was held on 25 July 2025.
- The date traces back to a 1992 gathering of around 300 women from 32 countries in the Dominican Republic.
- 25 July has been marked as Afro-descendant Women’s Day across Latin America and the Caribbean since 1992, long before the UN proclamation.
- The day forms part of the wider International Decade for People of African Descent, recognised by the United Nations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent?
It is a United Nations observance held on 25 July each year that celebrates the contributions of women and girls of African descent and calls for action to eliminate the racism and discrimination they face. It was established by the UN General Assembly in 2024.
When is the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent in 2026?
It falls on Saturday, 25 July 2026. The date is fixed and is observed on 25 July every year.
Who established the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent?
The United Nations General Assembly established the day through Resolution A/RES/78/323, adopted on 13 August 2024. The date itself was chosen to honour the long-standing Afro-descendant Women’s Day first commemorated in 1992.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #WomenAndGirlsOfAfricanDescent and #AfricanDescentDay2026 on social media. The more people who know about the day, the greater the recognition and momentum behind it.
Related Awareness Days
- International Day of the Girl Child – A UN day championing the rights and potential of girls everywhere, closely aligned with the focus on girls of African descent.
- Black Consciousness Day – A day reflecting on Black identity, pride and the fight against racial injustice.
- International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – A global day confronting the violence and discrimination that disproportionately affect women, including women of African descent.
Links
- Visit the official United Nations page for the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
Featured image: Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash.
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