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)

In this April 20, 2018, file aerial photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, advection fog drifts across skyscrapers on the waterfront in Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong Province. Chinese leaders have long been sensitive about their communist country’s international image. Now, they are battling back, investing in diplomacy and a courtship of hearts and minds, just as the United States digs in on the Trump administration’s “America First” mindset. (Photo by Lu Hui/Xinhua via AP Photo/File)

“Cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing method in which fishermen use trained cormorants to fish in rivers. Historically, cormorant fishing has taken place in Japan and China from around 960 AD. and recorded from other places throughout the world”. – Wikipedia

Photo: A cormorant raised by a fisherman catches a fish on a canal on November 27, 2007 in Xitang Town of Jiashan County, Zhejiang Province, China. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

In addition to the publication of «146 West End Stars Hold A Flashmob In Trafalgar Square». Good people have sent us exclusive photos of the event (and to prepare for it). Many thanks to Christopher Voodhams, and the author of these wonderful photos – photographer Eduardo Carrasco! (Photos by medialabs.net).

“I'm very lucky to be in a wonderful part of England , where the ever changing sky's are always a new opportunity for a good shot. To me photography is the art of using light to one's advantage”. – Eric Goncalves. Photo: “Let the light enter”. (Photo by Eric Goncalves)

An amazing artist transforms scrap metal into incredible sculptures of insects, birds, fish, and other animals. Edouard Martinet from Brittany, France, creates the sculptures from all manner of salvaged parts and junk, including car and bicycle parts, typewriters, and medical equipment. Photo: An ant by Edouard Martinet. (Photo by Edouard Martiniet/Caters News)

Tattoo artists and body art fans from across the globe have descended on London for one of the biggest and most prestigious tattoo conventions. “This is like the Premier League of tattoo artists from all over the world who come here to show their work”, organiser Marcus Beriman said. Photo: Bugz Bonniie displays some of her tattoos. (Photo by Oli Scarff)

These stunning images show the 20-stone cat striking with lightning speed while the eight-foot reptile basks on a river island. The scene unfolded by the Cuiabá River in the Pantanal Wetlands of western Brazil. Photo: Jaguar attacks a Yacare Caiman. (Photo by Barcroft Media)