Girl About O-Town

Do you ever stop to think about the extent of your privilege?  I sure do. 

I know how lucky I am to have been born to an established upper middle class nuclear family right here in Canada.  I recognize the value of my public education and benefit everyday from the socio-economic status my university degree assures.    I have experienced nothing but equal opportunity in anything I’ve ever done, and have been extremely fortunate to have encountered excellent female role models along the way.  

As a professional, I have added real skills to my aptitudes, and outside of work, I continue to develop my interests and passions through the pursuit of education at the post-secondary level.  I am self-determining, financially independent and fully able to fulfill my personal potential.  I also travel with ease, participate politically and have access to a healthcare system that is as equally focused on education and prevention as it is on treatments and cures.  

Most significantly, I’m a Mom.  I know that given these advantages, my little girlaboutOtown will likely do much more than just survive.  She has the real potential to thrive. 

This girlaboutOtown gets “girl power”, and I definitely don’t take it for granted.  Instead, I remember regularly to be grateful.   I also understand that my version of privilege carries with it a responsibility to contribute in as many ways as I can.   

Did you know that right now 70% of the worlds poorest are women and girls?  That 20 million girls around the world never go to school?  That countless girls and women suffer extreme violence every day?  A lack of education for girls in developing countries means that too many girls and women are confined to unskilled work.  This translates to slower social and economic development for families, communities and even countries. 

One of the world’s oldest and largest international development agencies Plan International  has just released its third annual Because I Am A Girl report, Girls and the Global Economy: Adding it All Up.  Apparently, analysis of the latest OECD data reveals that countries with highest levels of institutional discrimination against girls and women are also the least developed.

“Study after study confirms that if young women are economically active, their country’s economy grows and all members of their family benefit,” says Rosemary McCarney, President and CEO of Plan Canada. “Investing in girls delivers a higher return than any other investment made in a country’s development, and yet this isn’t happening. That’s a huge loss for everyone.”

To coincide with the release of this year’s report, Plan Canada has launched a nationwide Because I am a Girl campaign to mobilize one million girls here in Canada to help those just like them around the world.  They also hope that Canadian girls will help to raise awareness and make sure policy makers understand the importance of investing in girls in other countries. 

Today, Plan Canada’s campaign comes to Ottawa.  From October 2nd to the 5th Plan Canada will be shooting a documentary at locations across the city.  This documentary, being filmed across the country, will capture the stories and perspectives of Canadian girls and is central to the Because I am a Girl campaign here in Canada.  It is scheduled for release in the spring of 2010.

So, don’t be surprised (or afraid) if you see film crews at various locations around town over the next few days.  I understand they will be at the Rideau Centre tomorrow afternoon between 12-2pm…

For more information on the documentary filming click here, or to learn more about how to get involved, visit www.becauseiamagirl.ca.