As the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child, women's rights activists point to progress on a wide array of issues but say more needs to be done to protect girls from child marriage, sexual assault and other forms of exploitation. Here is a selection of pictures showing the daily lives of girls across the globe, all taken by female Associated Press photojournalists. Here: In this December 14, 2015, file photo, a young clown rides in the back of a car following a procession to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Hundreds belonging to various clown associations made their annual pilgrimage to the Basilica to pay their respects to the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint. (Photo by Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo)

A Togolese policeman, disguised as a terrorist, brandishes his weapon on October 20, 2022 during an anti-terrorism exercise at the Peacekeeping Operations Training Center (CEOMP). Togo's military on Thursday carried out a simulated jihadist attack in the capital Lome on Thursday, practising countering an assault and hostage-taking at a restaurant. Togo and neighbouring West African coastal states like Ghana and Benin are preparing for growing spillover from jihadist conflicts across their northern borders in Niger and Burkina Faso. (Photo by Yanick Folly/AFP Photo)

Yokozuna-ranked sumo wrestler Hakuho of Mongolia (top) throws Goeido of Japan during their bout on the final day of the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka on November 26, 2017. Mongolian grand champion Hakuho won the latest sumo tournament on November 25 as Japan's national sport continued to draw media attention after another top wrestler faced a police probe into an alleged assault. He won the 15-day tournament at 13-1 by Saturday with one day remaining as his closest contenders were all defeated at 11-3 before his bout on the day. (Photo by AFP Photo/JIJI Press)

A competitor reacts ahead of Tough Guy Mudathon event in Perton, Britain, 04 February 2018. The original event which started in 1987 raises money for charity and challenges thousands of international competitors with a cross-country run followed by an assault course consisting of 20 obstacles including water, fire and tunnels. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/EPA/EFE)

Protesters sit in a cafe during a “SlutWalk” protest, in which several hundred participants march through the centre of Jerusalem, May 13, 2016. The SlutWalk movement began after a Toronto policeman suggested in 2011 that women could avoid sexual assault by not dressing like a “sl*t”. (Photo by Amir Cohen/Reuters)

Hot air balloons rise over Innes Common Park during a dawn lift on March 29, 2012 in Hamilton, New Zealand. Each Autumn over 30 hot air balloons grace the sky as part of the Balloons Over Waikato Festival. (Photo by Sandra Mu/Getty Images)

Bronn, a Dutch shepherd, launches 22 feet, 6 inches, during the Dock Dogs Outdoor Big Air for the GoPro Mountain Games, Thursday, June 9, 2022, at Lionshead Village in Vail, Colo. The big air is always a crowd favorite as dogs can fly nearly 30 feet in distance through the air. (Photo by Chris Dillmann/Vail Daily via AP Photo)

U.S. Air Force wounded warrior, Capt. Sarah Evans, jumps rope in a gym in San Antonio, Texas. Evans was diagnosed with cancer while deployed to Afghanistan and was medically evacuated back to the United States where her leg was amputated. (Photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen/U.S. Air Force)