What Girls’ Day Is About
Girls’ Day gives school‑aged girls (typically from grade 5 and up) the chance to discover professions in Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Sciences, Technology (MINT/STEM) and various technical or craft‑based trades. These are areas where women remain significantly underrepresented, despite growing demand for skilled workers.
The initiative aims to:
- Break down gender stereotypes in career choices
- Encourage girls to pursue future‑oriented, well‑paid technical careers
- Provide hands‑on experiences that help them make informed decisions
- Connect them with female role models in leadership and technical roles
How Girls’ Day Works
On Girls’ Day, companies, universities, research institutes, and public institutions open their doors to participating students. Girls can:
- Tour workplaces
- Try out technical tasks
- Participate in workshops
- Meet women working in STEM and leadership roles
- Learn about apprenticeships, study paths, and career opportunities
In Baden‑Württemberg alone, recent Girls’ Day events offered over 2,400 programs and more than 20,000 internship placements, showing the scale and impact of the initiative.
When It Takes Place
Girls’ Day is held every April, often on the same day as Boys’ Day, which encourages boys to explore social and care‑related professions.
Examples:
- Girls’ Day 2026: 23rd April 2026
- Many institutions, such as the Max Planck Institutes, host their own Girls’ Day events on this date.
A Growing International Movement
The first German Girls’ Day took place in 2001, and since then it has expanded globally. Today, similar events are held in 20+ countries, including Belgium, Italy, Japan, Ethiopia, and Egypt.
Why Girls’ Day Matters
Despite progress, women still make up only about 18% of workers in many STEM fields in Germany. Girls’ Day helps close this gap by giving girls early exposure to careers they might not otherwise consider.
Evaluations show that Girls’ Day and Boys’ Day significantly support stereotype‑free career orientation, helping students choose paths based on interest, not gender.
The Bigger Picture
Girls’ Day is more than a one‑day event, it’s part of a broader push toward:
- Gender equality in the workforce
- Future‑ready education
- Stronger representation of women in STEM, business, and politics
- A more diverse and innovative labour market
By giving girls the confidence and opportunity to explore new fields, Germany invests in the next generation of scientists, engineers, innovators, and leaders.-
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