Published in Partnership with Forbes.com

There is a quiet movement afoot that is getting louder by the day. The movement’s heroes are not the typical revolutionary leaders you often see leading crowds of people demonstrating to change a society. On the contrary- the leaders in this movement are young, mainly disadvantaged girls. These are girls who find the courage to stand up against the social norms of their parents, their communities and their nations that prevent them from doing something most of us take for granted–go to school.

67 million girls under the age of 15 are not in school each day. Extensive research shows that when more girls go to school and stay there longer, there is a highly positive impact on their families their communities and their economies. An educated girl can have a multiplier effect on social change—increasing girls’ future wages, reducing infant mortality, creating more transparent businesses, increasing a country’s GDP, and leading to faster economic growth.

Intel is working closely with 10×10, a global action campaign for girls’ education that uses the power of storytelling and the leverage of strategic partnerships to deliver a simple, critical truth: educate girls and you will change the world.  A group of diverse bedfellows have joined forces- journalists, filmmakers, development agencies, NGOs, multilateral organizations, the private sector and concerned citizens to provide a platform for this message and to take action. Released on March 7^th, 10×10’s groundbreaking film, Girl Rising, sends a powerful message about educating girls. It tells the story of 9 girls who fought to go to school in spite of severe barriers like poverty, culture and forced labor

We see technology as a bridge, accelerator, and amplifier to this movement. Technological innovations help spread the word and catalyze action using social media platforms. Our programs focus on empowering and educating girls and women with technology tools, resources and opportunities that can help them transform their lives.

But access to technologies like access to education, is unequal globally. In particular, a recent study Intel released, “Women and the Web”, clearly shows that 23% fewer women than men are online in developing countries and in places like Sub-Saharan Africa that number soars to nearly 45%. Our research shows that when women do have the opportunity to access the Internet, there are remarkable benefits, at the individual, commercial and country level. The study showed 30% of the women we surveyed used the Internet to earn more income, 80% used the internet to improve their education, and 85% said the Internet provided them with more freedom. Doubling the number of women online in developing countries would produce massive economic benefits such as $13-18 billion USD added in annual GDPs in developing countries.

There is clearly much work to be done to address these disparities in education and technology for girls and women–and tremendous benefits that can result if we do. Each of us has a part to play in taking action to help build a global movement to support girls and women.  There is no doubt- investing in girls’ and women’s progress is one of the most effective, high-yield investments for economic and social progress around the world. Supporting girls gain the opportunity of education is a first step towards this revolutionary change.

Find out more here. It will tell you how to find (and purchase tickets for) Girl Rising screenings that have already been “demanded” by someone in your community and also how to captain one yourself by requesting a screening at the time, date, and theater of your choice.