A statistic is not only a number – it tells a human story. It speaks of people’s health and well-being, problems and prospects, and socio-economic circumstances. When collected and analysed well, statistics can advance sustainable development, identifying those at risk of being left behind. We celebrate World Statistics Day at a moment when reliable and timely data are needed more than ever before.

“I slept in the toilet for three days because my mother chased me out of the house,” says Julie Atieno*, 13. As she describes her ordeal under the lockdown to a mentor, she can barely hold back her tears. Girls growing up in Kibera, a large informal settlement in Nairobi, face many challenges, including teenage pregnancy.

The story of 12-year-old Amanda in Zambia, who has large dreams, is the story of millions of girls in Africa. She sees a hopeful future ahead, one in which her voice is heard, her rights are respected and a world of opportunities awaits her. As we celebrate International Day of the Girl Child, let the voices of girls become louder.