This year, a record 1.5 billion students of all ages stayed home from school due to the coronavirus pandemic. And now, many countries, states, cities, families and school administrators are struggling with how to send students back to school safely.

Experts predict that continued school closures may lead to increased drop-out rates, particularly among adolescent girls, which will lead to increasing the gender gap in education that already exists. But brave girls everywhere are overcoming obstacles to ensure their education continues, whether it’s going to school on a phone, outside, homeschooling, or in a traditional classroom.

For 4 years, Girls’ Voices has provided training, education, and scholarships to keep girls in school. We believe every girl deserves a quality education.

So, we invited invite girls worldwide to share how they are staying strong and continuing their education in this challenging time. We asked girls to show us: “What does going ‘back to school’ mean for you this year? What challenges are you overcoming to continue your education?”

We received over 170 heartfelt entries, and our judges watched every single story to determine the winners. Now, we’re excited to share the “Back to School” challenge winners with you!
Debrah A from the Philippines

Prize: $1,000 Scholarship

Sierra B from the Bahamas

Prize: $500 Scholarship

Alina M from Belarus

Prize: $500 Scholarship

Thank you to every girl who shared her story with us!

Do you love seeing other strong voices? Go deeper! Sign up to join Girls’ Voices Movement community, share your creativity and stories with girls and women professionals from around the world, and gain access to exclusive challenges where you can win additional scholarship funding.

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More About Girls’ Voices at Home

The coronavirus pandemic affects us all. Many of us are sheltering in place, and many of us are experiencing significant challenges. Globally, we are living this shared experience, but we are all experiencing it differently.

We believe in the power of personal storytelling and connection to get through challenging times. You have a voice. You have a story to tell. And we want to hear it.

Periodically, we will release a new prompt for you to submit a photo or video related to this material. Your stories will be shared here for others to see, and you’ll be able to see what other girls are sharing across the world. You’ll have a chance to win prizes and help other girls around the world.

So: go create! We can’t wait to see what you have to share.

LEARN & SHARE

Photography Tips

Learn how to share your intention through photography, taught by Photojournalist 
Jess Obert.

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Video Tips

Learn how to make your story come alive through videography, taught by 
filmmaker and human rights activist 
Rebecca Dharmapalan.

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Share the Movement

Share with your network to get more 
people involved in sharing the message 
of girls’ empowerment.

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Help Girls Around the World

Many girls globally lack access to food and other basic supplies, including many of our Girls’ Voices scholars. You can help by sending meals to those in need.

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Share your #GirlsVoicesAtHome creations on Instagram or Twitter, and we’ll share your words of inspiration with others right here