Girl Rising Observes International Day of the Girl With More Than 2,000 Events Worldwide

NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Girl Rising, a social action campaign for girls' education anchored by a feature film of the same name, celebrates the second annual International Day of the Girl (IDG) by supporting more than 2,000 unique events in over 150 countries throughout October.

"We always imagined making a film that could be used as a tool for social change, community by community. It is thrilling to look at our global IDG map and see the energy of Girl Rising spreading around the world, fueled by advocates who believe in the power of girls' education to transform societies," said Holly Gordon, executive director of Girl Rising.

International Day of the Girl (IDG) is an official observance of the United Nations, a day declared to promote awareness of and action on girls' rights. The theme of IDG 2013 is "Innovating for Girls' Education," a theme Girl Rising embodies and embraces, as does its strategic founding partner, Intel Corporation.

Intel is hosting international screenings of Girl Rising in collaboration with Girl Rising's nonprofit partners—A New Day Cambodia, CARE USA, UN Foundation's Girl Up, Partners in Health, Plan International USA, Room to Read and World Vision—and holding employee screenings and volunteer events on a Global Giveback Day. In total, more than 50 screenings and Intel employee volunteer events across more than 20 countries are planned, as well as IDG-related activities through the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network and Intel for Change campuses. In celebration of this year's theme, Intel recently announced She Will Connect, a digital literacy program aimed at reaching 5 million women in Africa, where the gender and technology gap is greatest.

Girl Rising also partners with CIEE, the world leader in international education and exchange. A nonprofit, non-governmental organization, CIEE is hosting 1,500 screenings worldwide starting on October 11th. Leading the day's celebration is a screening of the film for staff and the larger community in Portland, Maine. Other screenings will take place at CIEE study centers, partner organizations and member institutions around the globe.

In support of the Girl Rising movement, CIEE is committed to meaningful change by creating educational scholarships for girls, seed grants for community development projects that address educational barriers, and college curriculum centered on development, education and women's rights.

"Since 1947, CIEE has helped bring the world together through programs that foster mutual respect and understanding. Today, between 50 and 70 percent of our study abroad and exchange students are young women, and the majority of the community service programs and projects we support in more than 60 cities worldwide involve girls, women, health and education. We're proud to partner with Girl Rising in their movement to make an educational experience possible for every girl around the world," said James P. Pellow Ed.D.,president and CEO, CIEE

About Girl Rising

Girl Rising is both a feature film and a global action campaign for girls' education that confirms that powerful storytelling can drive change. Originally called 10x10, it was launched by award-winning journalists at The Documentary Group with founding strategic partner Intel Corporation along with founding production partner Paul G. Allen's Vulcan Productions.

The film, by Academy Award-nominated director Richard E. Robbins, spotlights the remarkable stories of nine girls around the world striving beyond circumstance and overcoming nearly insurmountable odds to achieve their dreams. It uses the storytelling skills of acclaimed writers and voice performances by renowned actors to promote a powerful truth: educating girls can transform families, communities and entire countries - and break the cycle of poverty in just one generation. For more, including information on screening the film, go to GirlRising.com.

The campaign is built on a foundation of partnerships with nonprofits, corporations, policymakers, and grassroots organizations. Girl Rising's coalition of nonprofit partners includes a high-impact network of champions and leaders in girls' education. These organizations provide life-changing services to girls every day, and are among the best practitioners of their kind. They include: A New Day Cambodia, CARE USA, UN Foundation's Girl Up, Partners in Health, Plan International USA, Room to Read and World Vision.

Contact: Jessica Somerhausen
212-456-5249
[email protected]

SOURCE Girl Rising