Today on International Day of the Girl, we’re excited to present our winners of this year’s Girls’ Voices for Change awards.
International Day of the Girl was created in 2012 to address the needs and challenges girls face while promoting girls’ empowerment. With a similar vision, the Girls’ Voices program highlights the education gap amongst girls around the world and uses digital media as a tool for education, empowerment, and storytelling. All participants received funding for their schooling and are eligible to enter our annual contest.
This year’s winning entries were selected from a pool of hundreds of stories created from 20 different countries. Over $30,000 in grants and scholarships are awarded to girls who participate in the contest.
Celebrate International Day of the Girl with our winners’ inspiring stories. See them all here.
My Story
Judges’ Award (Prize: $1500)
Sophia Rising
Sophie, 19, from Maralal, Kenya
“I discovered my voice, and the power the media has to change things in my community.”
Audience Award (Prize: $1000)
Under the Lemon Tree
Adele, 17, from Athens, Greece
“There are few opportunities for girls like me, my whole life I have believed I would make it though.”
GreaterGood.org Award (Prize: $1000)
Trapped
Abida, 18, from Kolkata, India
“I want to be a filmmaker and narrate the stories of the people of our communities.”
Changemaker
Judges’ Award (Prize: $1500)
Restavek
Ruthloveny, 16, from Savanne Longue, Haiti
“I want all children to have the opportunity to go to school.”
Audience Award (Prize: $1000)
Emerita
Astrid, 17, from El Progreso, Honduras
“I want to create a better place for the generations that follows me.”
GreaterGood.org Award (Prize: $1000)
Youth Back the Farm
Phiona, 18, from Kampala, Uganda
“Above all, l have attained the zeal to serve my community.”
Style & Culture
Judges’ Award (Prize: $1500)
Hair
Berlanda, 15, from Savanne Longue, Haiti
“I want to complete my education with my family’s support.”
Audience Award (Prize: $1000)
GreaterGood.org Award (Prize: $1000)
For Our Children
Karoli and Christy, 17, from Lima, Peru
“We hope to keep representing our culture and identity through filmmaking.”
Photography
Judges’ Award (Prize: $1000)
What is Hidden in Simple View
Mixy, 18, from El Progreso, Honduras
“I want to keep fighting for my dreams.”
Audience Award (Prize: $500)
GreaterGood.org Award (Prize: $500)
My Story Through the Lens of a Camera
Gjylshahe, 20, from Peja, Kosovo
“From every video and photo, I heard a girl’s voice opening new doors to her future.”
