On December 19, 2011 the United Nations designated October 11 the International Day of the Girl Child – an annual day to bring world focus to the unique challenges that girls face in their everyday lives, and celebrate girls as important agents of change within their families and their communities.

Girls face double discrimination due to their gender and age, and are the most marginalized and discriminated group across the globe. And yet, research has shown that when girls are educated, healthy and informed, they will not only improve their own lives, but the lives of everyone around them, lifting entire nations out of poverty. The most vulnerable are potentially the most powerful.

Join us in celebrating the first-ever Day of the Girl! 

On October 11, we will host a screening of four mini-documentaries, created by girls from Plan Canada’s Because I am a Girl Speakers Bureau. Each film will examine some of the challenges faced by girls here in Canada and in other parts of the world, and be followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.

WHEN: October 11, 2012
WHERE: St. Margaret’s School, Alexis Hall, 1080 Lucas Ave
TIME: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Please click here to RSVP

Film screenings will include:

1. Boys Will Be Boys (5 min), by Maneesa Sotheeswaran, Joanna Livadas and Jennifer Dong
2. Beauty Bites (5 min), by Alisha Talpur and Crystal Gao
3. Girls Between Two Worlds (7 min), by Adiba Hasnat, Jenny Deng, and Miranda Hersco
4. Wasichana (6 min), by Julia Simac, Arianna Livadas, and Nicole Toole

The films are appropriate for anyone thirteen years and over. Coffee, tea and refreshments will be provided. Admission is by donation, with proceeds benefiting Plan Canada’s Because I am a Girl initiative.

Please click here to RSVP.