WONDER WOMEN BEGIN AS WONDER GIRLS

GIRL RISING

Every Wonder Woman we know of began as a girl full of wonder. And every one of those girls needed an education to develop the power they needed to survive and thrive. 

The fact that you are reading this story means that you have been privileged enough to have had an education that enabled you, and yet it’s easy to take our educations for granted.

In a world where gender inequality is the norm, where over 60 million girls are currently being denied access to school, the need is great and the implications are even greater.

Girl Rising is a global campaign for girls’ education and empowerment.

Through the power of storytelling, Girl Rising helps to change the way people think about and value girls and girls’ education. With high profile initiatives that shine a spotlight on the challenges girls face that prevent them from going to school.

Many of the problems begin with the core problem of poverty. Communities can’t afford to build and manage schools and families can’t afford tuition. But poverty also begets a cascade of other forces the hold girls back: It often forces early marriage, domestic slavery, sex trafficking, child labor, and gender-based violence.

Educating girls can break cycles of poverty in just one generation, and Girl Rising shows how investment in girls' education is really smart, not just for the girls, but, ultimately, for the world.

Educated girls develop more than their intellect, skills, and earning power, they develop their inner power. They become Wonder Women. They develop their voices. They stand up for their rights, They marry and have children later. They educate their own children. And they help build their communities.

While numerous nonprofit organizations work to provide schools, scholarships and other resources for girls, Girl Rising is rather unique in that is focuses on the changing belief systems and mindsets -- the fundamental drivers of the problem.

Girl Rising begins with inspirational storytelling, strategic communications and community engagement. They then build networks of community-based changemakers.

In just 3 years, Girl Rising developed media campaigns and a network of independent advocates that have spread the message in over 150 countries, inspiring thousands of people - from students to government officials - to take action to educate the girls in their communities.

Partners, from government agencies, to educational institutions, to corporations, to other non-profit organizations come together to support Girl Rising with funding and other resources to expand its reach.  

For example, through ENGAGE - a dynamic public-private partnership in India, the Democratic Republic of Congo and northern Nigeria, Girl Rising reaches hundreds of thousands of people through community-based programming, and millions more through television, radio and other mass media initiatives.

The Malala Fund, founded by Nobel Prize recipient Malala Yousafzai, who defied the Taliban by insisting that girls in her native Pakistan be given an education, is a Girl Rising partner.

“Girl Rising,” the film, directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Richard E. Robbins, tells the stories of 9 girls who, with the help of education, rise up above their dire circumstances, overcoming almost insurmountable odds. Watch it and witness the strength of the human spirit and the power of education to change the world.

Watch the film trailer here.

10 X 10, the Girl Rising film production team also produced “We Will Rise: Michelle Obama’s Mission to Educate Girls Around the World.” Watch it and learn more.

The Girl Rising film inspired the new book, Girl Rising: Changing the World One Girl at a Time, by Tanya Lee Stone. It features the inspiring stories of more than 30 girls from around the world who found their super powers through education.

The book is the continued evolution of the global movement. The compelling narratives are brought to life with gorgeous photographs of girls from Cambodia, Nepal, India, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Egypt, Peru, and Haiti, who changed their lives through education.

The book comes with a free companion Educator’s Guide created by partners at George Washington University.

Feeling inspired? Join the growing movement to educate and empower girls and help change the world! GET INVOLVED! EXPLORE THE STORIES!

Read more about Beautiful in Wonder Woman Mermaid Empowers Women & Girls.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Gina Nemirofsky. “Mariama.” Courtesy of Girl Rising.
2. Image: Courtesy of Girl Rising. IMA World Health partner with Girl Rising.
3. Image: Courtesy of Girl Rising. Girl writing on chalkboard in school.
4. Image: by Gina Nemirofsky. “Freetown, Sierra Leone Trip 2.” Courtesy of Girl Rising.
5. Image: Courtesy of Girl Rising. Still from Girl Rising, the Film.
6. Image: by Anindan Choudhury. “Suma Tharu - Kathmandu Nepal Production Trip.” Courtesy of Girl Rising.
7. Image: Courtesy of Girl Rising. “Yasmin.”
8. Image: by Martha Adams. Girl reading a school book in Cambodia. Courtesy of Girl Rising.
9. Image: Courtesy of Girl Rising. Girl at school.
10. Image: Courtesy of Girl Rising. “Million of India's girls are not in school, but today Khushboo isn't one of them. She also takes English classes!”
11. Image: by Leslie Knott. Courtesy of Girl Rising.
12. Image: Courtesy of Girl Rising. Still from Girl Rising, the Film.
13. Image: by Martha Adams. “Girls School, Plan, Haiti.” Courtesy of Girl Rising.
14. Image: by Martha Adams. “Gina Nemirofsky & 10x10 behind the scenes. World Vision Drop-in center. Kudligi, Bellary district, Karnataka, India.” Courtesy of Girl Rising.
15. Image: Book cover: Girl Rising: Changing the World One Girl at a Time. Book by Tanya Lee Stone. Courtesy of Wendy Lamb Books.
16. Image: Courtesy of Girl Rising. Girls eager to begin their studies at school in Peru.
17. Image: Courtesy of Girl Rising. “National Girls School of Jacmel.” Haiti.
18. Image: “Asha, studying.” “Girl Rising: Changing the World One Girl at a Time.” Book by Tanya Lee Stone. Courtesy of Wendy Lamb Books.
19. Image: by John Valme. “Wadley.” Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Courtesy of Girl Rising.
20. Image: by Martha Adams & Gina Nemirofsky. “Hampi Temple. Karnataka state, India.” Courtesy of Girl Rising.
21. Image: by BN App - Download now!
22. Image: by Martha Adams. Courtesy of Girl Rising.