WHY GIRLS?
In many countries and contexts, the roles of girls are set and choices will be made for them by their parents, caretakers, teachers, husbands and societies. Globally, girls have less access to education, health care, support systems, choices, and opportunities, resulting in less access to their own dreams and aspirations - their space to explore their own potential constrained and stolen.
Oppressive social norms and stereotypes, such as viewing girls as less valuable or capable than boys, creates barriers for girls to access opportunities and can increase the violence they face.
These gender norms and social policies take on many form such as millions of young girls denied equal education and millions of girls being married before the age of 18 every year, from Uganda to the US.
Furthering these norms, the media often plays an active role reducing girls to a single stereotype and story, and portraying girls living in places of conflict or poverty almost always as just victims.
15%
of girls in the developing world will be married before age 15
#1
cause of death amongst girls in low and middle income countries is childbirth
50%
of sexual assaults worldwide are against girls aged 15 and younger
70%
of the world’s out-of-school youth are girls
GIRLS MATTER.
How we work to address, engage, and combat these gender disparities matters.
Adolescent girls around the world have the right to determine their own path in life; they have the right to be safe from violence; they have the right to equitable opportunities and choices. Girls have the power, the potential, and the transformational vision to change their lives and lead.
“I would tell other girls to follow their dreams. Your dream is yours. It doesn’t have to be anyone else’s. If it makes you happy, then follow it.”
Paw Si | AGE 14 | FROM: Thailand | VISION: Future Architect
GirlFesto
This Girlfesto was developed by the different groups of girls we have worked with over the past few years. Girls’ voices and visions have come together across continents, as girls share many of the same passions, ideas, and hopes for the better, brighter futures they wish to drive forward.
Girls can do anything.
We will fight to change this world for the better - to make it more just, equal, and free for all.
We support one another.
We love one another.
We are a community.
We are beautiful on the inside and outside.
We are curious.
We will resist stereotypes.
We have power to transform ourselves.
We have power to influence others.
We are connected to the women and girls who came before us, and we will work to build a better place for the women and girls who come after us.