As part of Girls Learn International’s (GLI) student advocacy project, social studies classes will watch a documentary on May 27. The documentary is called “Girl Rising,” and it follows the lives of nine girls living in impoverishment.

“So many students just don’t know about the severity of the inequalities that still exist and how those inequalities affect not only others, but how they affect them, too,” GLI president junior Carleigh Newland said. “I am hoping that this showing will raise sensitivity and constructive discussion about the issues plaguing our world.”

GLI is an organization with two goals: spreading awareness on issues of gender inequality and raising money for girls in other countries deprived of education. All chapters nationwide are asked to complete a student advocacy project in their second semester, and after their second year of being a club, each chapter may take on a sister chapter in an impoverished nation.

“GLI is amazing,” sponsor and Geography teacher Stacy Flower said. “It brings to light the fact that girls don’t have the same opportunities as they have in the United States. All students should care about what’s happening in the world simply because they are in it.”

Although the organization is oriented on the problems females face worldwide, it encourages the participation of everyone young or old, male or female.

“Human rights aren’t gender specific, and even though GLI does focus more on girls in third world countries, it is still an organization that promotes human rights,” junior Nathan McCanna said. “Advocacy is a numbers game; more people standing up for what’s right creates a greater effect. Males can and should be involved. GLI isn’t just for girls, it’s for people who care.”

According to Newland, she hopes that this documentary showing will increase the number of those aware of those inequalities, as well as increase awareness of what GLI is, and does.
“Everyone should be made aware, because everyone – and as cliché as it might sound – can make a difference.”