On Tuesday, November 20, Women’s, Gender, and Sexualities Studies (WGSS) sponsored a film screening and panel discussion of GirlRising, a feature film and global action campaign for girls’ education. I have always been passionate about women’s rights, so this event was obviously in my realm of interest. This is likely why I showed up thirty minutes early and claimed the first seat in an empty Alton Auditorium.
Little by little, more people trailed in until Alton was nearly three-fourths full. I was pleased to see that so many people were showing an interest in the issue of girls’ education—or rather the lack thereof. We all sat in silence as we watched a condensed version of the feature film GirlRising. From the film, I learned a few very startling facts:
- There are 33 million fewer girls than boys in primary school.
- In a single year, an estimated 150 million girls are victims of sexual violence.
- The #1 cause of death for girls 15-19 is childbirth.
I also learned that modern slavery still exists in the form of debt bondage. In places such as Nepal, brave teachers seek to liberate young girls trapped in the kamlari system (which has been illegal since 2000). They seek to give these girls the education they deserve—the education their brothers are receiving. In other Sub-Saharan regions, families marry their daughters off because this is their only prospect of achieving better lives.
After the film, 5 female discussion panelists answered several questions from the audience. They also discussed their initiative to bring a Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Center to Stockton. There is currently a petition circulating to establish such a center, and it can be signed by going to http://tinyurl.com/stocktonwgsc. Overall, attending GirlRising was fulfilling in several ways. I learned about an issue that plagues girls and women in Sub-Saharans regions, and I am now in a position to educate others about the lack of education these girls receive. I also learned more about the objectives and goals of the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality program, and I look forward to seeing progress with the center.