International Day of the Girl Child

GIRL RISING
_____________________________________________________________________________________ On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. The term “girl child” is commonly used abroad to distinguish the unique challenges faced by those under age 18 from those faced by women.

Here are some statistics (click the link!)

Girl Rising (http://girlrising.com/). This inspiring film tells the stories of nine girls from across the world who have found the courage to challenge the bounds that society and circumstance placed them in, from poverty to child marriages to cultural constraints and more. Directed by Academy Award nominee Richard Robbins, this film brings the reality of the lives of young girls in the developing world to light in a powerful way. Through education, self-determination, and unconquerable spirit, these young women are changing their lives and helping others do the same.

One of the nine girls is Sokha. “This is not the end. It is the beginning.” Sokha was a Cambodian child of the dump: orphaned and forced to pick through garbage to survive. But, through a series of miracles, Sokha finds her way to school – and, like a phoenix, she has risen to become a star student on the brink of a brilliant and once unimaginable future. Sokha's story is written by Loung Ung. Loung is one of the most powerful voices to emerge from modern Cambodia. An orphan of the Khmer Rouge, she fled Pol Pot's brutal regime at the age of 10. Loung's bestselling memoirs have brought home the tragedy of Cambodia for millions of readers. Through the lens of her own extraordinary experience, she speaks directly to the fractured reality of her country as the past continues to reverberate through the present.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
There is a Girl Rising Curriculum! for 5th graders all the way to college students. Although the curriculum has some focus on 2 stories of girls from Nepal and Peru, the curriculum can be adapted to focus on the Khmer part of the film. The film will be available at our post soon, but don't let that stop you from doing activities now (or whenever). The film is not in Khmer unfortunately - yet still a great resources for English Teachers! You can also use this curriculum without showing the film and adapting the lessons to be discussion based.

Create your own event and get resources to help! Go to http://10x10act.org/idg/ and register at that site!