Posted by:  Cathy

I grew up in a family that was rich in spirit.  My parents gave me opportunity by working hard.  They helped me learn to read and to excel in school,  and encouraged me to participate in community events (including cheering my brother on at his hockey games at the neighborhood ice rinks).   I grew up in Canada and, as a girl, I was afforded the same possibilities as my brother.

Girls reading in a school library. Painting by Surayia Rahman. Photo by Anil Advani. Used with permission of the owner.

Many girls around the world don’t have these opportunities.  So I read with great excitement that the United Nations had declared October 11th  the Day of the Girl Child and I was proud of Plan Canada’s leadership role in advocating awareness for this declaration.   Although we could wait until the official date of October 11th to celebrate, let us make every day a day of the girl in some way.  Boys and girls, men and women, entire communities benefit when girls are given hope and an equal chance.  When we invest in girls, we create a ripple effect and help impact the greater good.

Reflecting on news about The Day of the Girl, I think about how lucky I am to be producing and directing a film about a remarkable woman, Surayia Rahman, who not only taught herself to be an artist, but also shared her skills with teenage girls and young women in Bangladesh. She believed in them and gave them hope for a future.  Like the river deltas that make Bangladesh and flow to the sea, these young women have branched out to provide opportunity for their families and for the greater good.  One person can make a difference, and investing in girls will help us all.

Check out this site about The Day of The Girl.