October 13, 2019

Mumbai, October 13, 2019: Pledging to rally support and action for girls’ rights on the eve of International Day of the Girl, on 11th October, Plan India launched the Girls Get Equal Challenge on social media. Prominent Bollywood celebrities took the challenge, in a show of solidarity and support for equal power, freedom and representation of girls and young women. Given the circumstances of girls and women in India, and the advent of digital media for public mobilisation, the Digital Challenge is all about creating awareness on social media channels about girls’ rights.

In view of their immense popularity and relevance in their field and beyond, there could not be better faces than that of celebrated personalities such as Anil Kapoor, Soha Ali Khan, Zareen Khan, Dia Mirza and Neha Dhupia, among others, to create an impact and share their views on why Girls MUST Get Equal. The challenge was held across Twitter and Instagram. Taking the challenge, Anil Kapoor who was also last year’s ambassador to Plan India’s initiative on International Day of the Girl said, “Equality cannot wait & I am taking the #GirlsGetEqualChallenge with Plan_India.” He nominated Neha Dhupia to take the challenge, who later shared a post sporting the ‘=’ sign. She posted, “Women are power houses and are lesser to none. They are storming new bastions each day and are surpassing all stereotypes.” Former Miss Asia Pacific, Dia Mirza, donned the sign too. She tweeted, “I am all for #GirlsGetEqualChallenge with Plan_India because until girls are equally represented & take decisions that impact them, gender equality will not be achieved.”

This three-month long initiative will give a platform for call to action for change and equality. The #GirlsGetEqual Challenge on social media is an equal sign on the face with a message on why they think that it’s time for girls to get equal. The ‘=’ sign is the campaign signage and signifies the call-in support for the girls’ right movement. The challenge was posed to drive visibility and conversation around Girls Get Equal campaign.

Girls Get Equal is the global campaign demanding power, freedom and representation for girls and young women. The target is to achieve a world free from discrimination, harassment and violence. Plan India hopes to create a world where one sees and hears girls equally in the corridors of power. Girls Get Equal is campaigning in support of girls’ power, voice, participation and leadership in over 60 countries. The girls’ rights movement is changing our world, but girls can’t achieve equality alone, they need the world to come together.

Speaking on the digital initiative, Plan India’s Executive Director, Anuja Bansal said, “Gender inequality is happening worldwide and there is a strong need to break stereotypes and tear down barriers of discrimination that hold girls back. We are grateful to all the celebrities who have come forward and are sharing their power to bring the spotlight on girls’ rights and the need to act on it. Empowering girls and women and showcasing their potential is the need of the hour and social media is a fitting platform to make girls’ voices heard.”

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Achieving gender equality is one of the Global Goals (SDG 5) agreed upon by world leaders in 2015, which promises to transform the world by 2030. But girls everywhere are undervalued, undermined and underestimated. Girls Get Equal is one of the world’s biggest campaigns co-created with girls and young women themselves. Girls Get Equal is about ensuring every girl and young woman has power over her own life and can shape the world around her.

Steps to participate in the Girls Get Equal Challenge:

Step 1: Click a photo with the = to sign on your face. The = sign can be created using two fingers on your face or using blue colour.

Step 2: Write a message using the hashtag #GirlsGetEqualChallenge and tagging Plan India.

Step 3: Upload on Twitter tagging three more people to take the challenge. And you are done!

Other celebrities who also donned the ‘=’ sign for the challenge:

Plan India

Plan India is a nationally registered not for profit organisation striving to advance children’s rights and equality for girls, thus creating a lasting impact in the lives of vulnerable and excluded children and their communities. Since 1979, Plan India and its partners have improved the lives of millions of children and young people by enabling them access to protection, quality education and healthcare services, a healthy environment, livelihood opportunities and participation in decisions which affect their lives.
Plan India is a member of the Plan International Federation, an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan International is active in more than 70 countries.

Media Contact:

Ayushi Anand | ayushi.anand@edelman.com | +919582535851

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