International Day of Older Persons
Taking place on 1st October every year.
Raising awareness of the impact of an ageing population and the need to ensure people can grow old with dignity.
Over the next 50 years, the number of older persons in the world will grow from about 600 million to almost 2 billion. Today, one person in ten is aged 60 or over - by 2050, this will be one person in five, and by 2150, one in three. Such a major demographic change presents huge challenges.
The International Day of Older Persons aims to raise awareness of the impact of an ageing population and the need to ensure that people can grow old with dignity and continue to participate in society as citizens with full rights. It also seeks to emphasise how older people can make major contributions to their communities, through volunteer work, transmitting experience and knowledge, helping their families with caring responsibilities and participating in the paid labour force.
International Day of the Girl Child
Taking place on 11th October every year.
Promoting girls' rights, highlighting gender inequalities and addressing discrimination and abuse suffered by girls around the globe.
Research has shown that simply being born a girl can leave a child at a huge disadvantage in life.
In the poorest societies girls face greater risk of malnutrition and hunger as well as fewer education and career opportunities. In many developing countries 1 out of 7 girls marries before the age of 15. It is in order to highlight these issues that the UN General Assembly voted to declare 11 October every year International Day of the Girl Child (also known as Day of Girls). This is a day to call for the full support of girls that ensures they are given every opportunity their male counterparts are given.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Taking place on 3rd December every year.
Raising awareness of disability rights and issues.
This day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. Crucially, it seeks to raise awareness about making political, social, economic and cultural life accessible for disabled people.
Initiated in 1992 by the UN, the day aims to engage groups from across civil society including institutions, local governments, schools and community groups. It highlights the fact that we must make every level of society accessible for disabled people. This extends from the design of public spaces to the inclusive processes of organisations.