By Neelam Azmat – Portfolio Manager, SRHR & SGBV
As part of our efforts to mark the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence, last week we screened The Girls of Meru, a documentary that follows the team of the 160 Girls Project, led by the team at the equality effect, as they embarked on the journey to obtain justice for child rape survivors in Kenya. Founded in 2008, the equality effect is a Canadian non-profit organization that leads an international network that works collaboratively to ensure women and girls are safe from violence.
In The Girls of Meru, acclaimed filmmaker Andrea Dorfman tells the troubling yet uplifting story of these children and their brave steps toward meaningful equality for girls worldwide.
According to The Girls of Meru, one in three girls in Kenya will experience sexual violence before the age of 18. Yet, police investigations into such crimes are rare, perpetuating a culture of impunity around rape. The documentary showcases the efforts of a courageous group of girls who helped set a legal precedent for child protection worldwide, with the Kenyan High Court responding in record time and the real work beginning thereafter.
Lawyer Fiona Sampson shares her journey advocating for child protection during the Q&A session following The Girls of Meru screening
This documentary screening was part of Grand Challenges Canada’s efforts to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, reminding us of the urgent need for innovative solutions to prevent and respond to violence. Following the screening, we hosted a Q&A session with Fiona Sampson, Canadian lawyer and founder of the equality effect, who leads a multinational team representing 11 Kenyan girls who were survivors of sexual violence and were featured in the documentary. This was a profound moment of learning and reflection further deepening our commitment to the cause.
At Grand Challenges Canada, we are proud to support a small but mighty portfolio of organizations leading the charge in ending violence against women and children. These innovators not only offer immediate support to survivors but are also creating long-term, sustainable solutions.
- Ujamaa Africa is scaling an evidence-backed, school-based sexual and gender-based violence prevention program for adolescent girls and boys.
- The equality effect is leading the training of prosecutors and police officials in accordance with the implementation of the rulings under the 160 Girls Project.
- North Star Alliance is addressing the issue through mobile health services for vulnerable migrant populations, ensuring access to care for survivors.
- Shout It Now, through its digital tool, Chomi provides client-led virtual support services including information and service delivery entry points to youth.
- Fightback Nepal offers holistic skills to girls and women to prevent, mitigate, and manage the risk of sexual violence.
- Physicians for Human Rights trains Kenya’s medico-legal community to use forensic science to collect, document, and investigate cases of sexual violence
Grand Challenges Canada is committed to a world where women and children are safe from violence. We are focused on investing in intersectional innovations that address the needs of marginalized groups, creative, bold, out-of-the-box solutions that challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what’s possible and scaling proven innovations to reach more communities and survivors.