Because I am a Girl Club
Around the world, girls face double discrimination because of their gender and age, leaving them suffering at the bottom of society. Although girls should have the same rights as boys, in reality they face more hardships and barriers. Compared to boys, girls:
- Are less nourished
- Have fewer chances at an education
- Are more likely to face daily violence
Empowering girls is an effective tool for fighting poverty, increasing education and ending violence – it’s a catalyst for overall global development. When we invest in girls and give them a chance, they will succeed. And not only that. They will give back in countless ways to improve the lives of their families, communities and nations.
Delegates announced for first-ever G(irls)20 Summit
The G(irls)20 Summit Organizers are pleased to announce the delegates for the first-ever G(irls)20 Summit. The selected girls will represent their countries at the Summit to be held in Toronto from June 15th to 18th at the University of Toronto just before the leaders of the world’s most powerful nations gather in the city for the G20 meetings.
Modelled after the G20, the G(irls)20 Summit will bring together one girl from each of the 20 countries to discuss how girls and women can help solve some of the world’s greatest challenges. A seat has also been allocated for a girl representing the African Union. Read more »
G(irls)20 Summit
The G(irls)20 Summit - 3.3 Billion Ways to Change the World initiative is a global campaign to solicit grassroots ideas on how to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that most impact girls and women.
This viral campaign will culminate in the inaugural, ground-breaking G(irls)20 Summit. The Summit will bring together one girl from each of the G20 countries to Toronto ten days before the official G20 Summit. Read more »
Girls' Voices, Girls' Vision
On Monday, March 15th, Julia, Siham and I were invited to attend the "Girls' Voices, Girls' Visions" Event at York University as guest speakers. It truly was an afternoon of celebration with the bright cheers and inspirational words of many significant and "smarticle" female activists and leaders. Cheryl, a Women Studies professor, invited both Julia and I to join the Girls Panel and Siham was invited to join the panel for amazing women who were making a difference through various campaigns/organizations. At first I thought this would be extremely scary because of the intimidating and cool women and girls however I felt at ease and comfortable around them. It really was a turning point to me to witness how much I have changed since I joined the Girl's Speakers Bureau. People I would look upon as role models spoke to me as if I was just as experienced and wise as they were.
The day started with Cheryl, who welcomed us to the event and introduced the various individuals who were there with us. It was about 50 of us in one room. Cheryl started with a wonderful presentation called "Why Girls You Ask" which answered many questions I had for myself. Read more »
Daily Beast Event
March 15, 2010: posted by Donnady from Plan Philippines
The event at the Daily Beast with Katie Couric was my last event in New York. I felt a little nervous because I know that Queen Rania will be there and that our segment will come after hers. Kakenya* told me “you will shine” to which Yolanda* added “she will be good” and of course there was Helen* who kept saying “just look in my eyes when you are nervous.” But honestly, they are making me tense. The little nervousness grew bigger and bigger.
Then it was our turn. Katie Couric introduced us to the audience and when she introduced me, she asked me for a “hi 5”. The event seemed to turn informal and I felt a little more comfortable. She is nice. Our hands touched.
She started the question with Kakenya -- about her life, the harmful traditional practice in their country and how she was able to get education. Next questions were for Helen and her organization’s work on early marriage, then to Kathy Calvin. The last questions were for me, about my village and our system of education.
Nearing the end
March 4, 2010: Posted by Amy of Plan Canada
Hi (extremely happy hi), hi (kind of sad hi)! What a week…has it really only been a week! It feels like a month has passed since I first stepped off that plane. Today was a pretty relaxed day, I didn’t have to get up before 8 but nonetheless I did. Why? Don’t ask. So I got ready and headed out to grab some breakfast for myself, and starbucks for Siham. The day was warm and going for a walk was definitely one of the things I wanted to do. Donnady, Amy and I went souvenir shopping, New York is a breath-taking city and I wanted to get some things for my family. I love souvenir shopping, actually just like shopping in general. We all had a great time, and on our way back we grabbed some buffet style lunch. Lunch was eaten in the hotel room, and then we all just relaxed and hung out with each other. After Donnady went to go prepare for the boy-girl dialogue while Siham, Amy and I went sight seeing. We found our way to wonderful time square, and then to a place I have always wanted to go…CENTRAL PARK!
Preparing for the Boy-Girl Dialogue
March 4, 2010: Posted by Donnady of Plan Philippines
What a beautiful day! I am done with my three events yesterday but oh there’s another one -- the Boy-Girl Dialogue at the Church Center at 4:00 to 5:30pm. I took my shower and ate my breakfast. Then I joined Amy and Saba as they walked around to look for a souvenir shop. I requested them to stop at a restaurant where the food is close to what we eat in the Philippines hoping they would like it there. And they liked it! But we didn’t eat yet, we walked, walked and walked. Then we reached the Chrysler Building. Amy told us to get inside and also take pictures with the view of the building. Finally, we saw what we were looking for – the souvenir shop! Saba bought bags, key chain and stuff toy for her friends and family. Then we had only 10 minutes left and we need to go back to the hotel for Amy’s interview. We hurriedly bought food at the restaurant we saw earlier. I ate with Amy and Saba inside their room.
Then it’s preparation time for the Boy-Girl Dialogue. I went to the practice and met with the other youth panellists.
My big day
March 3, 2010: Posted by Donnady of Plan Philippines
This is my big day! I will be in three events, and as time approaches I feel more nervous and uncomfortable. What would they say if I’ll make mistakes? I tell myself they are humans and so am I and there’s really nothing to be afraid of.
Here we go. In the afternoon, before the start of the Unicef session, they prepared lunch for the panellists. I feel so small because all of them are well-known. But the good thing is, former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, one of the panellists, told me that among the panellists I have the powerful voice because I am closer to the topic of discussion. I was surprised! I was encouraged to do my best. I gained strength from her words.
So the session started and the first question was for me. I answered it based based on my understanding as a 16-year old. The best thing is I also had to say the last words. Oh, it was so terrific!
The big day with BAN KI-MOON!!
I’m tired, exhausted, and completely pooped.
Today has been absolutely crazy! Of course, it was the day of the big, scary, and intimidating BAN KI-MOON!!!!!!!!!!!
….
BUT I DIDN’T EVEN GET TO MEET HIM UNFORTUNATELY! :’(
Okay, well. We’ll come back to him in a sec.
This morning’s been filled with tension. I woke up, saw the sky, and the weather was absolutely horrible. Perhaps it was pathetic fallacy for my churning heart.
…. I used the word pathetic fallacy. My English teacher would’ve been proud.
ANYWAYS.
When we got there at the UN building (the amazing Dreeni and I), we met with Roxanna and the other panelists. We waited until literally the LAST MINUTE to go in and I sat in the front seats gathering the stage thingy.
And then, dun dun dum, Ban Ki-Moon came in.
Okay, I’ll honest. I wasn’t able to get that great of a view of him and he looked pretty much exactly like his Wikipedia profile. No dirty secrets there. He spoke and then the Chinese and Norwegian ministers did their thing and talked.
Day of the girl
March 3, 2010: Posted by Saba, 17
Hey, hey!
I woke up and looked across from me, there was Donnady sleeping, and then I looked the other way and there was Amy. Then a sudden realization hit me…I was in New York! This morning I had my interview live with CHML radio in Hamilton. I had never been live on the radio before and I was seriously nervous. The phone was handed to me before I could even think of what my voice would sound like or more importantly…what I would say. I think I answered the questions pretty well; I talked about Day of the Girl and the problems that I thought girls faced. My family was really proud of me (as they should be).
We went to UNICEF for my “supposed” interview but we had mixed up our schedule and it was not today. So we went to this café and I ended up having a not so yummy breakfast- warning oatmeal doesn’t taste good. Today was the big day for me because today was our event for Day of the Girl! I was super excited and could not wait to present. Read more »
Seeing the UN in Action
March 1, 2010: Posted by Amy, 17
The UN opening session. A girls-only workshop. A tour around the Big Apple to top it off. And a press interview! What else can a girl ask for?
And that is exactly how I felt the whole day. Today offered me an amazing chance to see the UN in action! Yes, there is a lot of jargon I don’t understand but I pride myself in knowing and getting a couple of jokes here and there. The opening session really opened up an opportunity for me to see how the people at the UN level see the problems in gender inequality and the problems girls are facing today. I definitely can’t wait to come back!
Facing the UN building, high on the 11th floor of the Church Centre, I attend the girls-only workshop. This workshop was, in a word, absolutely fantastic! The girls at the workshop have drafted an official “Girls’ Statement” to present at the end of the UN session! Each one of us got to put our opinions and inputs into the document. The discussion also stirred up some issues girls are facing today and how we can solve them.
But in between, we got to tour around the Big Apple by foot! Read more »
Girls Speakers Bureau at the Because I am a Girl Fashion Show
[video]Girls from the Because I am a Girl Speakers Bureau attended a fashion show fundraiser to spread the word about the Because I am a Girl campaign and how others can get involved. Check out this short clip to see what happened.
Girls of Latitude on MTV
[video] In 2008, the girls of MTV visited Plan projects in Africa, the Caribbean and South America and got their eyes opened to the challenges facing young girls in troubled countries. Their experiences, made possible through a partnership among MTV, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and Plan Canada, were captured on film.
