By Summun Jafri
Founded by Plan International, Because I am a Girl is a global initiative aimed at changing the future for girls around the world by lifting them out of poverty through the promotion of gender equality and human rights. As a result, the ripple effect created by this endeavour to educate and protect a girl in an impoverished part of the world, will ultimately benefit her whole family and community f you’re ever in the downtown Toronto area, chances are you have come across volunteers campaigning for Plan’s Because I am a Girl. They are often seen out at main intersections in the city creating awareness for the cause. Although street campaigns such as this one are perceived as nuisances, let me assure you, this one’s worth the small investment of your time. Because I am a Girl is not a small initiative; it’s an international social movement created by Plan International to empower females of all ages to fight for their rights as human beings. The goal is to give girls the most basic human rights that many of us in the first world take for granted. By creating sustainable projects in developing countries, girls can gain access to clean water, food, healthcare, education, financial security and protection from violence and exploitation. Their motto “Invest in a girl and she’ll change the world” speaks volumes about what the initiative does. The awareness and funds this project generates are used to directly change the lives of young girls, the communities they are brought up in and ultimately the world’s perceptions of them. This campaign helps us unveil many truths, as underprivileged girls affect more than just their own well-being. The economic loss in countries that do not level the playing field for girls and boys is an estimated $92 billion. In a survey done in India, 60% of children interviewed agreed that if resources are scarce, it’s better to educate a boy than a girl. Among other problems that this initiative is trying to alleviate in addition to education are those of child brides (some as young as twelve), HIV infections, genital mutilation, and sexual violence and exploitation.
74 SHE CANADA
This year, Because I am a Girl welcomed Indian actress Freida Pinto on board to take part in global initiatives to help girls and strengthen communities. Given her role in the Academy Award winning Slumdog Millionaire, there could not be a better advocate for the cause. Over the summer, Pinto traveled to Sierra Leone in Africa as Because I am a Girl’s ambassador to witness the initiative first hand. On the website’s blog she mentions that she was asked by a journalist in Sierra Leone what hope she can give these girls to which she said: “To be very honest, these girls have given me hope.” She has expressed her amazement with the sincerity of the organization’s work, and mentioned always wanting to be involved in some way. Once in Sierra Leone she said that the strength of people there made her realize that she couldn’t be weak, regardless of what information or situations she encountered. In an interview she did following her return with Parade Magazine, she highlighted the importance of education. In order to affect change in the community as a whole, and “to have the parents understand why these girls should stay in school and not get married at 14,” they must be rightfully educated. On the other hand, we, sitting across the world have a different role to fulfill. “You watch and read about some of these troubled countries but the firsthand experience is an eye opener. Things are so much deeper, richer and you uncover layers of stories beyond what you watch on news channels or read in books.” Pinto’s words emphasize a point that she and the organization cannot stress enough: the need for our own education. Although not all of us may have the resources to help these communities in person, the more we educate others and ourselves on these topics, the more of a difference we can make.