Today is the International Day Of The Girl Child, a day that was launched five years ago to “to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.”

With 1.1 billion girls in the world, the UN strives to help those girls that face disadvantage and discrimination on a daily basis and wants to highlight the struggle facing those living through crises.

This year’s is ‘EmPOWER girls: Before, during and after conflict’. Girls in conflict zones are 90% more likely to be out of school, compared to girls in conflict-free countries, which compromises their future and potential. In a humanitarian crisis, it’s the rights of girls and women that are first be abused. The day isn’t just about raising awareness it is also about collecting data about girls who have slipped through the cracks, so we can have a better idea about how they live and what they need.

Use the hashtag #DayOfTheGirl to unite yourself with others engaging in the conversation or visit DayOfTheGirl.org.

To encourage the empowerment of girls all over the planet and bring attention to this day, we’ve put together list of some of our favourite powerful athletes, who have changed sport for women and inspire to keep pushing everyday.