Girls in school uniforms in Haiti
Happy International Day Of The Girl!
If you haven’t heard, today is the UN’s first-ever International Day Of The Girl. Today, people around the world will come together to talk about girls: their rights, their lives, and what we can do to empower them.
Last night, 10×10 celebrated International Day Of The Girl by kicking off its global action campaign for girls’ education with an exclusive event at the Paley Center for Media in New York City, hosted by Christiane Amanpour, ABC News Global Affairs Anchor, CNN Chief International Correspondent, and host of CNN’s Amanpour.
Girls at school in Peru
Attendees heard moving stories from an inspiring group of women, including writer Marie Arana, poet and spoken word artist Azure Antoinette, and Shabana Basij-Rasikh, Managing Director of SOLA (School of Leadership, Afghanistan), a nonprofit that helps young Afghan women access education and jobs.
The topic of girls’ education seemed more pressing than ever, with the news of 14-year-old Pakistani education rights activist Malala Yousafzai’s shooting by a Taliban gunman on everybody’s mind. Around the world, millions of girls like Malala face barriers to education that boys do not, such as gender discrimination and violence, early and forced marriage, bonded labor, and sex trafficking.
Girls at school in Egypt
10×10’s campaign centers on a feature film, Girl Rising, which will be released in March 2013 through CNN Films, on CNN and CNN International. Girl Rising tells the stories of 10 girls around the world determined to get an education. The film features voice performances from Meryl Streep, Kerry Washington, Anne Hathaway, and Selena Gomez.
Today, 10×10’s partners and supporters will gather around the globe to celebrate girls, preview the Girl Rising trailer, and watch exclusive footage from last night’s talks and performances.
Classroom in Cambodia
“A profound movement is underway, and we are at the cusp of spurring change that can write a new future for girls who dream of going to school,” said Holly Gordon, Executive Director of 10×10.
Every time the Girl Rising trailer is shared through Facebook or Twitter, $1 will be donated to the 10×10 Fund for Girls’ Education, up to $20,000. You can also learn more about 10×10 or donate here.
Photos provided by 10×10 Educate Girls, Change the World, © 2011
