Saturday, June 14, 2008

The Girl Effect

I love the effectiveness of this short video using type and some dots. No photos necessary. To skip the video and go directly to the website, click here.

5 comments:

Margie Puerta Edson, CFRE said...

You've made connections that are truly inspiring and moving in directions that call out to action. There has got to be a broader audience for these ideas - which seem to be converging - remain isolated. Do you feel isolated or connected?

jenzai studio said...

I haven't gone to the Web site yet, but the video is awesome, not only the message but the design aspects of it as well! I love it when good ideas are given such a lovely visual expression. Thank you!

A little off the topic, but I just signed up to volunteer at the Planned Parenthood teen sexuality conference here in Dallas this July. Texas has the fifth highest teen pregnancy rate in the state (thank you Bush and the abstinance-only sex education program). I'm really curious to see that the conference is like, esp. as Daryl will be old enough to attend next year.

Margie Puerta Edson, CFRE said...

Not off topic at all. Even with our terrible teen pregnancy rates, the overall US population rate has stabilized, if not declined. The real issue is about reproductive rights globally and self-determination for girls, which I think "The Girl Effect" eloquently points out.

So when governments prohibit girls from receiving an education and use rape (as in Somalia, Darfur) or death threats (as in Afghanistan or Iran), what do we, as concerned women do? So many women around the planet have no voice and when they try to improve their circumstances, they are systematically terrorized by their own governments.

I think we are somewhat naive no matter how good hearted and well meaning.

Which is not to say we should do nothing or not support those efforts that seek to create real social change. But it is all so overwhelming at times.

I guess that is why I seek solace in those actions that people take in their own communities - with you volunteering for Planned Parenthood and Julie serving on the Miramote Neighborhood Association and creating a neighborhood watch program - those acts of social justice make everything else (local and global) seem possible.

Anonymous said...

Its nice idea, but I am sure she would ruin the grand plan by getting a boyfriend

Saumya said...

And why is that ruining her life?!? Girl empowerment does not in any way require the presence or absence of males, it simply is. Having a boyfriend who is supportive of a girl advancing in the world - how is this a bad thing? I think this is a great and powerful idea. Nice job, Julie, on tagging it!