PARTNER
International Rescue Committee
HAJA, age 12, Syrian Refugee in Jordan - “Ever since we studied the solar system in primary school I have wanted to be an astronaut. In this society my path was not easy - many people told me a girl can’t become an astronaut. Now that I have achieved my goals, I would tell young girls with aspirations to not be afraid, and be confident where they want to go.”
“But away from these bleak statistics, there is another picture of hope – which is captured brilliantly in the [] Vision Not Victim photo exhibition. This project shows girls in Eastern Congo visualising a future where they are doctors, journalists, architects, teachers. In these pictures, in the strength and courage of these girls - you can see their country’s hope for a better future. And that’s why I believe investing in girls and women, tackling the violence, isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do too, and it’s crucial to a country’s development.”
Challenge
Around the world, adolescent girls are among the most marginalized and abused. Often, while boys' worlds begin to expand with choices and opportunities in adolescence, the world for girls starts to shrink. Oppressive social norms and stereotypes view girls as less valuable and capable than boys, restricting opportunities for girls and increasing the violence they face.
15% of girls in the developing world will be married before the age of 15
50% of sexual assaults worldwide are against girls aged 15 and younger
70% of the world’s out-of-school youth are girls
ROSINE, age 13, Democratic Republic of Congo - “A while ago, there was a woman in my neighborhood that needed a c-section. I wanted to be able to help her and other women. It was at that moment I decided I was going to become a surgeon.”
YVETTE, age 13, Democratic Republic of Congo - “In this picture I am photographing a model for a fashion campaign. I love showing people their image - I love giving them a glimpse of how they appear, how others see them, how beautiful they may be.”
RC's Response
Vision Not Victim is a Resistance Communication’s global initiative challenging long-held stereotypes and working to shift perceptions, safety, and access for girls everywhere. This girl-driven, adaptable program is a creative platform for adolescent girls to explore their aspirations, design visions for their future, learn from mentors, and build skills and knowledge to pursue their visions. These visions are communicated through photography and other media, and together with facilitated community discussions are used to challenge social norms, demonstrate the power and potential of adolescent girls, and spark transformative change.
Vision Not Victim has been implemented with large humanitarian non-profits and grassroots organizations in six countries since 2015.
Learn more about Vision Not Victim: www.VisionNotVictim.org
Impact
Through Vision Not Victim, over 100 girls have learned about their rights, gained critical life skills, learned from dynamic women mentors, and explored their creativity, power, and possibilities for the future. Their parents, caregivers, and local leaders tell us they have made changes because of the program which include: re-committing to their daughters’ education, supporting them in accessing university, and changing decisions about pre-arranged child marriages. Girls talked about important changes in their self-esteem, confidence, and a renewed sense of hope in their future.
Girls’ images and visions have been shared around the globe including: in their local communities, at the United Nations, as part of a Congressional Hearing on Capitol Hill, and through media outlets including: BBC, CNN, Newsweek, and The Washington Post.
Yvette’s mother reacts to seeing her daughter’s vision images for the first time.