To mark the U.N.'s International Day of the Girl Child, this pictorial aims to offer a look at the injustices that girls continue to endure.

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Today, 11 October 2012, marks the inaugural International Day of the Girl Child. This day focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face, promote their empowerment and fulfil their human rights.

The United Nations is calling on governments, civil society organisations, the private sector, faith-based groups and the international community to accelerate efforts to:

• Enforce legislation to increase the minimum age of marriage for girls to 18;

• Improve equal access to quality primary and secondary education;

• Mobilise girls, boys, parents and leaders to change discriminatory gender norms and create alternative social, economic and civic opportunities for girls;

• Support girls by providing them with options for schooling, sexual and reproductive health information and services, including HIV prevention, livelihoods skills and recourse from violence in the home;

• Address the root causes of child marriage, including violence against girls and women.

Visit the UN website if you would like to find out more

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