October 11, 2013, marks the International Day of the Girl Child. This day of recognition, established [1] by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2011, aims to raise awareness of the status of female children’s rights worldwide. The theme for this year’s observance is “Innovating for Girls’ Education.”[2] The Women and Human Rights in the Middle East Program at Rice University’s Baker Institute would like to honor this day by presenting an issue brief on the current opportunities and challenges facing the education of girls in the region. This report also aims to highlight the risks to girls’ education in transitional Arab countries such as Syria. During times of crisis, in particular, equitable access to education and the safety of children must be an international priority. It is the responsibility of the international community to ensure these educational opportunities and establish programs that teach the technical skills necessary for young women to be active and productive members of society.