Right To Play is an international non-for-profit organization that provides children with opportunities to learn through play including games, sport, creative play, and free play. The goal of Right to Play is to teach children how they can use education, which they achieve inside and outside of the classroom, to rise above adversity.
The Rally for Girls Education is an online event that hosts games and holds appearances from Right To Play ambassadors and members of the Canadian government.
Speaking on the goal of this event, Allison Love, the marketing and communications manager at Right to Play, states that “A girl’s education is one of the most powerful catalysts towards gender equity, health and economic development globally. Through Right To Play’s partnership with Global Affairs Canada, we are empowering girls to pursue their education and change not only their own futures, but their families and the communities in which they live as well.”
The Rally for Girls Education also hosted a virtual challenge. Love says, “During International Development Week (Feb 6-12) Right to Play was asking university and college students to take part in Right To Play’s signature International Development Week event, Rally for Girls’ Education, by posting a photo of an influential woman in their life.”
This year is not the first year that Right To Play is hosting the Rally for Girls Education.
“This year’s Rally for Girls’ Education featured Canada’s new Minister of International Development, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, and Right to Play ambassador Chantal Petitclerc,” adds Love, speaking on how this year’s rally has differed from years past. “Another new addition this year was the element of play in the form of Gender Equity Jeopardy, which was an opportunity for students and distinguished guests to flex their knowledge on international development issues and influential Canadian women.”
Senator Chantal Petitclerc adds that during this past year, “We realized more than ever that whenever something happens globally, like this pandemic, girls are disproportionately impacted. This shows us that they are vulnerable and that we can never rest until their rights are recognized, including the right to education.
“I look up to many women from my past or present, some famous, some not at all, who have been inspirational to me because they are passionate and dedicated to make the world a better place, and not afraid to be who they are and do what they want. They are Simone De Beauvoir, Frida Kahlo, Greta Thunberg, and hundreds of others.”
In the encouraging spirit of Senator Petitclerc and Rally for Girls, Excalibur also asked York students to share what influential women they look up to.
Isabel Castro, a fourth-year history and concurrent education student, says, “My mom inspires me in my everyday life because of her humility and also how she encourages me and pushes me to be kind.”
Mia Tran, a fourth-year communication studies and marketing student, also thought of her mother. “She has a great sense of balance while juggling professional life, social life, and family life, and she excels in each of them.”
Arjun Rattan, a third-year bachelors of commerce student, mentions, “Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who actively fought for gender equality, and Rupi Kaur, who empowers women through her soft but powerful poetry.”
Katherine Ong, a fourth-year marketing student, lists Michelle Obama. “She is such an inspiring woman who has shown the world that anything is possible and makes me want to strive to be the best version of myself.”
