Girls'Day, an annual day of action, gives girls an insight into professions in which their own gender is underrepresented. With a record number of more than 23,000 offers nationwide and a total of over 175,000 places for schoolgirls and schoolchildren, this campaign day is particularly extensive this year. It is sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
This day fulfils an important purpose by supporting the desire of children and young people for early vocational orientation. By giving them the opportunity to get a taste of careers that are traditionally chosen by people of the opposite sex, they can better explore their interests and abilities and make informed decisions about their future.
Girls'Day also actively contributes to counteracting the shortage of skilled labour by encouraging girls to take up professions in which they have previously been underrepresented. On Girls' Day, girls learn about professions or study subjects in which the proportion of women is below 40 per cent, e.g. in the fields of IT, skilled trades, natural sciences and technology.
This promotes diversity and equal opportunities on the labour market and at the same time strengthens the economy through a broader base of qualified specialists. They may also encounter female role models in leadership positions in business and politics.
