Today is International Day of the Girl. It provides a timely opportunity to reflect on the important role education plays in creating better lives for girls and families in developing countries.

It is staggering that 35 million girls around the world are missing out on a primary school education. Significant barriers prevent them from realising their dreams. Some drop out of school before they can read or write. Some never have the chance to go in the first place because families depend on them to help around the home, look after younger siblings and collect water and firewood.

The percentage of girls completing primary school education in developing nations had risen to 86 per cent in 2010. Credit:Gabriele Charotte

One of the biggest challenges is getting girls to go to school alongside their brothers. Providing opportunities for education needs to be integrated with helping families address girls' workloads to ensure they, too, can attend school.

Last month, I visited Cambodia as CARE Australia's women's empowerment ambassador and met women and girls who are faced with challenges distinctly different from those of most Australians. I had the opportunity to understand firsthand the extraordinary difficulties they face, to see the powerful work CARE is undertaking and to observe the positive path on which many young girls are embarking.