URI's Harrington School to Host 'Girl Rising' Documentary Wednesday

For women across the globe, especially in third world countries, the path to obtaining an education is impeded by societal, cultural and familial challenges that affect women more harshly than men. 

In order to share the stories of young girls who have surmounted these roadblocks, the University of Rhode Island Harrington School of Communication and Media and the Provost’s Office have sponsored a screening of “Girl Rising,” a documentary that follows the stories of nine girls around the world who have risen above various roadblocks to receive an education. The documentary will be shown on Nov. 13 at the Center for Biology and Life Sciences Auditorium at 4:30 p.m.

As a former international recruiter for the University of Rhode Island, Nancy Stricklin, Assistant to the Provost for Global Strategies and Academic Partnerships, has always felt it was important for students to have a deeper understanding of worldwide issues, such as the global educational gap between men and women. Viewing a documentary like “Girl Rising,” Stricklin said, helps students appreciate the freedoms enjoyed in the United States in regards to educational access, and facilitates meaningful thought about what life is like outside of the US.

“We encourage students to study abroad or take part in international service opportunities but I fully understand that its not always possible for some students,” Stricklin said. “That’s why I think its important that we bring experiences like this to URI, so we can help students increase their global competency and broaden their knowledge of worldwide issues.”