Girl Rising

Today, on Transgender Day of Remembrance, we honor the lives of transgender and non-binary individuals who have been lost to violence and hate. Their stories call out the urgent need to fight against fear and discrimination, and to stand for a world where everyone can live authentically, freely, and safely. Discrimination often stems from misunderstanding and fear. But transgender and non-binary individuals are not a threat—they are simply people striving to live their truth, just as we all hope to do. The real threats in this world—violence, inequality, and injustice—demand our attention and action. Let’s reaffirm our shared commitment to building a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate world for all. Together, we can replace fear with understanding and rejection with love, so that everyone has the freedom to thrive.

On this #InternationalChildrensDay, we’re celebrating the bold, bright energy of children who dare to dream big and lead the way to a greener, more equitable and hopeful tomorrow. But here’s the deal, to make their limitless possibilities a reality, we must break down the barriers in their way. Let’s create a world where their potential knows no bounds, from classrooms to communities. Join us in cheering for the changemakers of today and tomorrow!

As decision-makers meet at COP29 right now, Future Rising Fellow Selma Bichbich reminds us that climate justice must take an intersectional approach, where we prioritize peace for a sustainable future. Youth in regions like Palestine, Lebanon, Sudan, and the Congo are living through the devastating realities of conflict, where livelihoods are shattered, and entire generations are left with no future—exacerbating sustainability challenges. Selma, an Algerian climate activist, co-founded the MENA Youth Network to engage young leaders on climate and human rights. She represents North Africa on EarthUprising’s Global Youth Leadership Council and is a delegate with the Center of UN Constitutional Research. Selma advocates for civic engagement and unity to combat climate impacts on vulnerable MENA communities. Learn more about her work @togetherforbluegreen.

Women and girls are essential to fighting climate change! Their unique perspectives and solutions fuel the lasting impact our planet needs, from spearheading community conservation efforts to advocating for transformative policies. Future Rising Fellow Collins Busuru from Kenya is amplifying this call, urging the world to make more space for women to lead in community-led conservation. Collins, a dedicated wildlife biologist in Amboseli, works through the Center for Human Development - Conservation Kenya, educating communities on climate resilience and protecting ecosystems. He’s also inspiring the next generation, mentoring Maasai girls so that they can become community leaders and influential environmental stewards. Join Collins and advocates worldwide in urging local leaders to take urgent climate action. Check out the link for resources, including ready-to-use scripts and a social media toolkit with posts and suggested captions! https://lnkd.in/eGsMAGcw

Girl Rising is deeply grateful to receive the 2024 POWER, TOGETHER Award at the Reykjavik Global Forum (@reykjavikglobalforum), alongside SheDecides (@shedecidesgfi) and GWL Voices (@gwlvoices). This honor truly belongs to every incredible partner we collaborate with, the educators who open doors for girls, the donors who believe in the transformative power of girls' education, and—above all—the tens of thousands of girls who share their voices, dreams, and courage with us. Together, they are shaping a world where every girl can learn, rise, and thrive. Thank you, Reykjavik Global Forum, for celebrating the power of working together!

As we navigate challenging times for girls and women our resolve has only deepened. Girl Rising is determined now more than ever to break down barriers and build a world where EVERYONE can live a life of their own choosing. Recent government policies and decisions worldwide risk deepening the gender gap, threatening the progress we've made. However, we know that united voices, perseverance and a belief in our collective power can break through these barriers and create transformative change. And we are not going to stop until equity is a reality for all. Who’s with us? Here’s how you can make a difference: ?Donate: Support our programs that advocate for girls’ education, safe spaces, and leadership. ?Advocate: Follow us @girlrising and share our message to amplify the call for gender equity. ?Partner with Us: Join our movement at girlrising.org and help expand our impact in communities worldwide.

Today marks the start of COP29, the world’s leading climate conference, which will shape climate action for the year ahead and beyond. Now more than ever, individuals, nonprofits, and businesses must come together to demand impactful climate policies and advocate for inclusive decisions that acknowledge the vital role of education in a sustainable future. Here’s how you can be part of this movement: ?? Send a message to your government leaders, urging them to prioritize climate resilience ?? Call your local officials and encourage them to focus on climate and gender justice ?? Raise awareness about COP29 by sharing information on social media Check out the link for resources, including ready-to-use scripts and a social media toolkit with posts and suggested captions! https://lnkd.in/eGsMAGcw

On World Science Day for Peace and Development, we celebrate the power of science to improve lives, foster global harmony, and shape a better future. But there’s still work to do—women remain underrepresented in science, meaning their ideas, talents and solutions are not fully realized or leveraged, limiting the innovation and progress we could achieve as a global community. Promoting girls' and women’s participation in science isn’t just about equity—it’s essential for tackling the world’s biggest challenges. Let’s break barriers, challenge biases, and unleash the power of women in science to create peace! ??????

We launched our Kaavish project against the backdrop of Pakistan's devastating 2022 floods, which submerged two-thirds of the country, displacing families, businesses and schools. Implemented in areas where girls' rights are most impacted, Kaavish provides adolescents, educators, parents, and communities with the tools and training to champion equitable, quality education for all. In just two years, Kaavish has reached over 340 adolescents through our Girl Icon and Boy Champion programs, positioning girls as powerful leaders and boys as allies. And with 250 parents in our Parent Icon initiative, we're building a support network that stands strong for every girl’s right to learn. Together, we’re creating a future where education is a right, not a privilege in Pakistan. Discover more about this transformative work at https://lnkd.in/gzR6Qcpw

Congratulations to Future Rising Fellow Charitie Ropati, a Yu’pik and Alaska Native for being named an HP Impact Ambassador! Together, they’re set to create new opportunities for Indigenous girls to excel in STEM, paving the way for a sustainable and equitable future. As the first Alaska Native graduate from Columbia University’s Civil Engineering Department, Charitie has been a fierce advocate for education and environmental sustainability. She champions culturally inclusive curricula that honor Indigenous histories and traditions while her research dives into plant ecology, permafrost, and cultural resilience in Native coastal communities. We can’t wait to see all the amazing things that will come from this partnership! ????