There's a lot of ugliness in the world right now, and logging into social media can honestly be tough. But today is a special day — it's International Day of the Girl. So here's how to change your Facebook profile picture for International Day of the Girl, because if we should be celebrating anything, we should celebrating resilience. And let's be real — girls and women are nothing if not resilient, particularly in the face of every hurdle we're still up against today.
Established by the UN in 2012, International Day of the girl highlights the gender inequality faced by girls throughout the world, including access to education, medical care, nutrition, and unfree child marriage. This year's theme, "Girls' Progress = Goals' Progress: What Counts For Girls," asks us to "consider how existing gaps in data on girls and young women, lack of systematic analysis, and limited use of existing data significantly limit our ability to monitor and communicate the wellbeing and progress of half of humanity." YES. YES. THIS IS SO TRUE.
The day grew out of the Because I Am A Girl campaign created by Plan International, a non-governmental organization dedicated to addressing child rights and gender inequality. Both Plan International and the UN use the International Day of the Girl to focus on facts. And as most of us who have taken even an introductory gender studies course know, being able to quote, for example, that one in three women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence, or that 15 million girls marry before the age of 18 each year, are important when arguing the systemic inequality people face based on gender.
So use today to honor resilience and raise awareness, but let that extend to your own life as well. Know the facts. And show your pride, even if it's by something as small as changing a profile picture.
1. Log onto FB
If you don't know how to do that, then this may not be the tutorial for you.
2. Head to the Profile Picture Frames Tool
Am I the only one who didn't know this was here? Like, you literally just type in "www.facebook.com/profilepicframes," and voila — tons of frames at your fingertips? Well, now I know. And you do, too.
3. Find "Day of the Girl" in the Drop-Down Menu
And marvel at all of the other filter options I HAD NO IDEA EXISTED.
4. Select Your Filter Variation
Personally, I like the one from the organization Afrika Tikkun; it's a border of hands, hearts and peace signs. Ultimately, though, you have your pick of eight, ranging from a ~back to school~ aesthetic to an "I Stand With Girls" Girl Scouts filter.
5. Decide How Long You Want the Filter Up
Anywhere from a few hours to a whole week
6. Click "Use As Profile Picture"
And you're good to go! Happt International Day of the Girl — today, and every day.
Images: Maddy Foley/Bustle (5); Giphy (2)
