International Day of the Girl 2023 marks the first stage of the release of She Creates Change, a short film series presented by Room To Read that spotlights courageous young women who refuse to accept their fate and proceed to change their lives and communities
When fourteen-year-old Dewmini’s parents threatened to send her away from home to work as a servant in the city, the young Sri Lankan was determined to find a way to stay. Learning about agriculture at school, she decided to start growing her own food as an alternative means of providing for her family. It started with eggplants. Lemons, betel nuts and okra followed. Soon Dewmini and her family were not only enjoying the fruits of her garden, but were selling their vegetables to the village.
This is the true story of one of the participants of children’s literacy and girls’ education nonprofit Room To Read’s Girls’ Education Program, which aims to drive literacy and gender equality in low income communities with the belief that educated women can change the world. The programme—and the journeys of the girls it serves—has informed a new series of short films called She Creates Change. The six-part short film series, which combines animation and live action documentary, tells the stories of six girls who face a range of challenges, from sexual harassment and food insecurity to early marriage and discrimination, and how they have learned to find inner strength, advocate for themselves and change their futures.
The project is funded by Susan Wojcicki, former CEO of YouTube. In addition, a number of female talents, from directors to writers to actors, have been involved, including Emmy-winner Martha Adams, who serves as the series director and producer and whose past projects include Girl Rising and We Will Rise: Michelle Obama’s Mission to Educate Girls Around the World; and executive producer Brenda Chapman, who co-directed Brave and became the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
“For too long, the stories we have seen and heard through global media have not represented the voices of so many young women in the world,” says Adams. “The practice of sharing stories by women, about women and for women is an undeniably powerful way to help girls advocate for themselves and their rights. It is an honour for me to help share the diverse stories featured in She Creates Change. Though each girl’s individual circumstances may be unique, the courage and skills demonstrated are universal and exemplify how the rising generation of girls can use their voices to change their circumstances and societies.”
