Location: Egypt, Jordan & Lebanon
Reach: 2,000+
Year: 2020
In collaboration with Save the Children, The Orenda Tribe worked with girls in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon to ask them about their dreams for the future of girls in their communities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, as children—particularly girls—spent more time at home, their voices became increasingly difficult to hear. We understand that when girls' voices are excluded from decision-making at all levels, they risk being left behind.
This campaign empowered girls to speak up and defend their rights during the lockdowns, raising awareness among their peers and the broader public about their rights, dreams for the future, and the challenges they face. The initiative also aimed to influence decision-makers at key moments in 2020 to commit to supporting girls.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, children in the MENA region have experienced various stages of lockdown. Save the Children's research revealed that in some countries, girls are more likely to struggle with remote learning due to limited access to technology, coupled with increased domestic and caregiving responsibilities. The longer girls remain out of school, the less likely they are to return, raising the risk of child marriage and other forms of gender-based violence.
Art, as a universal language, played a crucial role in this campaign. We asked children about their dreams for girls' futures in the MENA region as part of the #IDG2020 initiative, and they provided several recommendations. Children are calling for:
- An end to child marriage
- An end to violence against women and girls
- Enhanced confidence for girls to pursue their dreams
- Increased awareness of the harmful impact of FGM
- Raising awareness among men about girls' rights
- Equal education opportunities for girls
Girls in Jordan shared these messages of empowerment and their dreams for the future:
- "If my dream doesn’t come to me, I’ll go to it."
- "What people say is a battle, and victory is mine."
- "I’m very confident in myself."
- "I am my own idol."
- "I hope that girls will live peacefully."
We campaigned with girls to amplify their voices and dreams for the future. What empowering words would you offer to girls?
We also asked children what words they would use to motivate themselves to achieve their dreams and what supportive words they would like to hear from the male figures in their community. Here's what they said:
Her: "I am strong, ambitious, capable, smart, compassionate, a good friend, and undefeatable."
Him: "I am with you."
Girls in Egypt shared these messages of empowerment and their dreams for the future:
- "I trust my decisions and my goals."
- "I need to remember my dream every day."
- "Do not underestimate her abilities."