Because I Am a Girl

Reviewed,Boyd Tonkin
Thursday 28 January 2010 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The idea of a charity anthology of stories and reports by well-known authors to raise funds for a child-centred development agency sounds like a recipe for soporific worthiness. Yet these pieces, inspired by visits to Plan's projects to empower girls and young women, are edgier and bolder than that. For all the good-news stories (schooling, contraception, campaigns against HIV or sexual abuse), several authors dwell on the darker side. Xiaolu Guo, in Cambodia, crafts a dream-like tale of a lost daughter and a "jungle girl". Kathy Lette, as diplomatic as a rampaging puma, returns from Brazil comparing local men to "swine" and assures us: "Catholicism kills". Marie Phillips is so furious at patriarchal attitudes in Uganda that Plan's local director gets a bruised right of reply. It's not your standard do-good, feel-good collection at all. BT

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in