Digital has never been more important for charities than in 2020, as Covid-19 forced non-profits to embrace the “new normal” – in which digital enabled technologies and platforms play a major, long-term role in mobilising communities, campaigning and fundraising. https://www.planindia.org/the-power-of-we-for-an-equal-world/

1. The Power of ‘We’ for an equal world
• Partnerships go a long way in driving meaningful digital engagement for non-
profits during campaigns and make the cause relatable in a pandemic impacted
world.
• Digital has never been more important for charities than in 2020, as Covid-19
forced non-profits to embrace the “new normal” – in which digital enabled
technologies and platforms play a major, long-term role in mobilising communities,
campaigning and fundraising. And while doing so it is imperative that we need to
re-invent re-strategies and put our acts together in a real time bound manner.
• As an organisation, Plan India is committed to the cause of promoting girls rights
and equality. As a humanitarian organisation, while we were at the forefront of
COVID-19 response, providing immediate relief and aid to more than a million
population, we also set about executing an ambitious digital campaign
#EqualUnlock mobilising partners and hundreds of girls from the most
marginalised section of the society. Putting the spotlight on rights of girls and their
agency is all the more important as often such issues slip through the cracks in the
larger scheme of things. We should not let COVID upend decades of work around
gender equality.

2. • The campaign #EqualUnlock conceived as part of the International Day of
the Girl which falls on 11 October, challenged stereotypes that hold them
back or question their capabilities based on gender. The spirit of the
campaign was: It is proven that girls have the potential to lead companies
and countries through positions of power and be Unconquerable. They
strive to fight their battles of freedom and be Unafraid. In a world that ties
them with limiting stereotypes and unequal representation, they choose
to be Unstoppable. In a post COVID world we should not let girls fight
alone but be their voice because it’s time for an #EqualUnlock.
• Each October since 2016, led by different Plan International offices,
thousands of girls all over the world have taken over positions of power
including those of Presidents, Ambassadors, CEOs and Chief Editors as part
of a global movement in support of gender equality. Given the new normal
created by COVID-19 physical takeovers was difficult but what could not
be missed was the need to highlight the need for continued focus on girls’
rights and equality. Embracing the new normal, In India we tweaked the
physical takeovers to social media takeovers and roped in partners such as
diplomatic Missions, corporates, media and influencers—who espouse the
cause of gender equality.

3. • Therefore, Delegation of the European Union to India,
Embassy of Argentina, Australian High Commission,
Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium, High Commission
of Canada in India, Embassy of the Czech Republic,
Royal Danish Embassy, Embassy of Finland, Embassy of
France, Embassy of Israel, Embassy of Ireland, Embassy
of Latvia, Embassy of Lithuania, Embassy of Mexico,
Embassy of Netherlands, Embassy of the Republic of
Slovenia, Embassy of Sweden and the Embassy of
Switzerland; the content platform The Better India –
Hindi and English; and the corporates H&M joined the
social media takeovers— all came forth to not only
celebrate the Day of the Girl but also give up their
individual social media handles as Ambassadors/CEOs
or that of their organisation in solidarity.

4. • The reach of the campaign was further strengthened
with the support of globally acclaimed sportspersons
such as Tashi and Nungshi Malik, Tania Sachdev and Ria
Rajeshwari Kumari. As a result 20+ girls, some of them
from the remotest communities in India, took the
digital world by storm reaching 9 million people
organically and raising one unified voice for girls’ rights
and equality.
• It is evident that together we can make a far bigger
impact than we could by acting alone. The big question
is—do you see yourself as flag bearer for girls’ rights
and equality? The road ahead can be lonely,
challenging and long drawn but the outcome is a world
where girls are finally seen as equals.

5. https://www.planindia.org/