New Delhi: The United States Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) today announced support to a public-private partnership in India for “Girl Rising,” a global campaign to promote girls’ education. USAID previously announced $3 million to support the program worldwide. 

The Girl Rising: ENGAGE INDIA (Empowering New Generations to Advance Girls’ Education) program will work to raise awareness and change attitudes and behaviors relating to girls’ education through local language releases of the powerful feature film “Girl Rising.” This partnership will reach millions worldwide and include teaching materials that highlight the stories of nine girls born into difficult circumstances in nine different countries around the world.

“The Girl Rising campaign in India starts with the film, but the story is much longer and only just beginning. With the Girl Rising Action Campaign for Education we are bringing the talent and resources of India’s brightest stars and most dynamic firms to bear on this issue,” said Ambassador Stephens, who announced the partnership at the American Center.

Commenting on the initiative, the Girl Rising Ambassador and leading Indian actress Priyanka Chopra said: “If more girls are educated, all of India stands to gain. We all stand to gain.”

“Too often, it is social and traditional ideas that are holding girls back. People just can't imagine a different future for girls. Girl Rising changes that,” added Freida Pinto, the renowned Indian-origin Hollywood actress and Girl Rising Ambassador.

Globally, Girl Rising has an incredible family of support, including: Intel, Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen, CNN, UN Special Envoy for Education Gordon Brown, Queen Rania of Jordan, Meryl Streep, Alicia Keys, Anne Hathaway, Liam Neeson, financier Pete Peterson, Brookings, CARE, Plan International, World Vision, Ford Foundation, Nike Foundation, Skoll Foundation, and more. Girl Rising India is supported by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Ladies Organization (FICCI-FLO), The Harbers Family Foundation, Cisco, Catalyst, Unitus Capital, Brunswick, HP India, Samhita, Korn Ferry and DAR Motion Pictures.