The origins of 25 July trace back to a 1992 gathering in the Dominican Republic that founded the Network of Afro-Latin American, Afro-Caribbean, and Diaspora Women. On 13 August 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/78/323, formally designating the date as the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent, building on the outcomes of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024). The day highlights the compounded discrimination women and girls of African descent face on the basis of both race and gender, and the resulting gaps in education, healthcare, employment, and political representation. It also celebrates their historical, cultural, and social contributions to communities worldwide. Human rights organizations and local communities mark the occasion with cultural and awareness events spotlighting the stories of pioneering women of African descent, and calling for more equitable policies that guarantee their full rights and opportunities.