The inspiring Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women, pledges the UN's commitment to stand beside girls around the world in support of their rights. She emphasizes UN Women's determination to work with governments and other partners to advance girls' education, health and well-being in order to attain a world where girls can live free from fear, violence and discrimination. Read the full pledge here.
Use Your Facebook Cover Photo to Stand Up for Girls!
Use our special Stand Up for Girls cover photo to show your support for women and girls. Simply download and save the banner from our Facebook page and upload it to your own profile! Don't forget to physically Stand Up at noon on Thursday!
Girls In Kenya Speak Out on Equal Education - The Kibera Girls LitClub Featured on Huffington Post
Laventer Atieno, LitWorld Girls LitClub Member
My name is Laventer Atieno. I am 14 years old and I am in the eighth grade. My hobbies are drawing, exploring, coloring and playing handball. My dream career is to be an explorer, a scientist or a psychiatrist. I learn in Red Rose Children's Centre. My favourite subjects are mathematics, science and social studies. My favourite colors are blue, purple and yellow. I love learning and going to school. When you are an educated person, no one can cheat you or deny you your rights. You will know and stand up for yourself. You will understand the laws and know what's wrong and what's good. That's why I stand up for girls to be educated. I would love all girls to be given equal opportunity with the rest of the people. I wish all girls not to be discriminated against, for surely they can do better if they are given the chance. All they need is opportunity. Again, I would love for girls to be respected. They need to be seen as people who have the ability to contribute to society. Girls are the most precious things in the world.
Stand Up for Girls Is Just One Week Away!
Worldwide communities are ready to Stand Up for Girls on 10.11.12. Join us in the movement to speak out and Stand Up for the 523 million women and girls who cannot read or write.
Your Top 3 Actions to Stand Up for Girls:
1. Take a picture of yourself with the Stand Up for Girls Sign and post it to our Facebook wall for a chance to win tickets to our NYC Gala 2013!
2. Change the avatar on your social network profiles to showcase your Stand Up for Girls picture and use the Stand Up for Girls banner as your cover photo. Tell 10 people to Stand Up for Girls and use the hashtag #standup4girls to make your message heard!
3. Stand Up at noon on October 11, and use our Activity Packet to make the first annual Day of the Girl a whole day of celebration! Don't forget to share your actions with us here.
Standing Up For Girls To Be Respected - Kibera Girls LitClub Featured on Huffington Post
Mercy Ajuma, LitWorld Girls LitClub Member
My name is Mercy Ajuma. I am 12 years old. I love to read. My best sport is netball. I come from a family of seven. I am the second-youngest in our family. I stay with my mum and my siblings. My favorite colours are pink and purple. My ambition in life is to become an air hostess or a TV presenter. The reason why I want to become an air hostess is because that job really inspires me. I would love to know the world. My dreams are to go to a good high school after primary education. I do support girls' rights to have an education. Girls do have a right to education, but most of them are being denied their rights. Some are even forced into early marriages. When we unite together, and are given this opportunity, our voices shall be heard and we will be able to end corruption. I stand up for girls to appreciate themselves in every way, even if they are disabled or unloved. In some families, girls are unwanted. They believe that girls bring bad luck to the family. Girls are the mother nature of the world. So if you are a girl, appreciate who you are.
I Stand Up for Education - Philippines Girls LitClub Member Featured on Huffington Post
In the province of the North Cotabato, Philippines where I grew up, there is no transportation, no electricity and it is far away from any school. Life there is not easy. My parents sustain our needs through farming; we are a family of five. With our family's status, it's impossible that any of us can finish our studies.
When I was in elementary school, I walked 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) to reach my school. Some might be dismayed if they are in my situation, but my compassion and determination to deliver my family from poverty drove me to pursue my dream of success.
LitWorld Wins a Chase Community Giving Grant!
This year we were honored to be one of the top 196 organizations in the Chase Community Giving Fall 2012 program. LitWorld was chosen as a finalist out of nearly 30,000 charity nominations!
Because of your votes, we are proud to announce that LitWorld is the recipient of a Chase grant!
Thank you, thank you, to all who voted. Your overwhelming support lights up our world!