Girl Summit Pledge 2014
The world’s first Insta-documentary, created from Instagram footage, was unveiled for girls affected by child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).
The Insta-film, ‘Freedom Is…’, is calling for an end to these harmful practices ahead of the world’s first Girl Summit, to be held in London on 22 July. The Summit, hosted by the UK government and UNICEF, will be attended by world leaders and aims to mobilise domestic and international efforts to end FGM and child, early and forced marriage within a generation.
Child, early and forced marriage affects millions of girls every year. One in three girls in developing countries is married by the age of 18, and some are as young as eight. Girls who marry young are more likely to be poor and stay poor, as well as be at increased risk of pregnancy and birth complications, domestic violence, sexual abuse and marital rape.
Instagram submissions from across the world came through in response to a social media campaign asking the question ‘Freedom is…?’ The film explores the impact of restricting freedom, especially for girls who are subjected to forced marriage and FGM, and encourages viewers to sign the Girl Summit Pledge to help end these harmful practices within a generation.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) removes a girl's right to have control over her own body. In some cultures it is traditionally considered essential for marriage. It can result in a lifetime of pain and difficulty in childbirth. Trends suggest at least 30 million girls will be at risk over the next decade - with more than 20,000 at risk in the UK every year.
The Girl Summit Instagram VideoJustine Greening, International Development Secretary, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many people coming together to show their support for girls. There are too many girls around the world who are being denied the freedom to control their bodies and their futures. The Girl Summit is helping to drive momentum towards this unique opportunity that we have to end harmful practices such as FGM and child marriage within a generation.”
Celebrities who are showing their support for the campaign include; Jenifer Hudson, Rosie Huntington-Whitely and Stephen Fry and Dawn O’Porter, to name but a few.
The Girl Summit Pledge has received 4,500+ pledges and 34,000 social messages of support and has reached 286 million people to date*, with support secured from Mia Farrow, David Cameron, Bip Ling, Jon Snow, Sasha Wilkins and Sister Fa.
Take a stand against FGM and child marriage today by signing the Girl Summit Pledge in advance of the Girl Summit on 22nd July: www.girlsummitpledge.com
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