Shining a spotlight on social justice

“It was nerve-racking, in one word,” admits the Grade 12 student with a laugh, describing her participation in an upcoming documentary as part of the nationwide Because I Am a Girl campaign, which filmed at Sir Wil on Friday, Oct. 2. “But I saw it as an opportunity. I heard there was a documentary being made, and I feel very strongly about being a girl, so I wanted to articulate that.”

The campaign – run by Plan Canada, an international development agency focused on ending global poverty – aims to encourage Canadian teens in the fight against gender inequality via raising awareness, promoting social justice and connecting on a global scale, explains documentary producer Liz Dussault. “It’s to raise awareness and get girls across the country involved,” she adds of the campaign launched Sept. 22 in Toronto. “It’s really about the sisterhood … getting them to realize it’s a global community and come make a difference.”

The crew’s stop at Sir Wil marked their first day of production on the road, Dussault recounts, after filming interviews and clips around the Toronto area. Next, she continues, the documentary will take them to Halifax, N.S. and along the west coast and the Prairies, spending three or four days in each location over the next month. A “pink carpet premiere” for the documentary will be held in the spring, she adds.

For Narula, who spoke to filmmakers about her dreams of becoming a doctor and travelling to India to help girls in poverty there, inspiration to take part in the documentary was prompted by what she’s seen first-hand, both in Canada and in her parents’ native country of India. “A lot of girls feel badly about themselves, that guys get more freedom,” she explains. “I felt like that’s wrong (and wanted to speak about it). There’s still a part of the world where girls are under-prioritized.”

Girls in Canada “have a much louder voice,” Narula continues. “There’s not as much discrimination. Girls can make a difference because we have passion.”

As for the decision to come to Sir Wil, “it has students who are extremely, extremely socially aware and socially active,” Dussault explains. “They’re so involved already.”

The target age group for the campaign is between 10 and 21, she recounts, with the documentary focusing on middle and high schools. Crews also visited Navan’s Heritage Public School Monday, Oct. 5 as well as public spaces like the Rideau Centre, where they filmed on Saturday, Oct. 3. “It sometimes does take everyone a bit to warm up,” Dussault says, recounting they have received “amazing” feedback and input from participants thus far. “It’s been pretty remarkable, actually, what we’ve heard. There’s a desire to be actively involved. They have a lot to say and they’re not shy at all.”

Another key piece of the puzzle is the campaign’s website – along with its blog and other features – since the documentary group is limited in what cities and schools they can visit, she continues. That way, Dussault suggests, girls across the country can connect, share experiences and spread the word about the campaign. “It’s an outlet for them,” she describes. “It gives them a place to express themselves and voice any concern, or passion. There are so many ways to be involved.”

And though the documentary’s filming has just begun, already participants – like those at Sir Wil – are showcasing encouraging results, she adds. “They really feel they have power,” Dussault explains, highlighting their hopes participants will feel encouraged to launch social justice projects in their neighbourhoods and schools, as well as helping to create a sense of community in the campaign. “They feel they can affect change across the world.” For more information, please visit www.becauseiamagirl.ca