Some time ago, I was contacted by Plan International Sweden who asked if I wanted to create a piece of jewelry for the Girl Award 2022. Wow, what an honor! Of course, I felt, since their work focusing on girls' rights and equality is incredibly important!

They reached out to me specifically because they were well acquainted with my symbolic jewelry and were interested in collaborating with me for the Girl Award. They were looking for a genuine, influential, and credible person who could help them spread the message, while also creating the physical award that the winner would receive.

Plan International works on behalf of children and bases their efforts on their needs. Their work primarily focuses on girls because they belong to the group most discriminated against worldwide. They often receive less food, care, and opportunities to develop. Therefore, the work needs to start from day one. Plan International strives for all children to be valued equally and to be free from restrictive gender norms. They are present in cities, villages, refugee camps, and where decisions are made. This creates long-term change both for the individual and society.

This year marks 10 years since the UN established the International Day of the Girl. The day is meant to highlight the vulnerability of girls and the fact that the world is not equal.

Plan International Sweden launched this year the Girl Award to raise awareness of the fight for every girl’s right to decide over her life and future. The award is given to a person or organization in Sweden that fights to prevent violations of girls’ rights – in Sweden or globally. And to honor all who, despite setbacks, continue to fight to change girls’ futures.

I was commissioned to create a piece of jewelry that
would suit the day, the theme, and the award.

We had a creative video meeting where different people from Plan International Sweden shared ideas and feedback. I had already created the piece in my mind, so I knew how it should look. The girl you always see in images associated with Plan International Sweden. Her eyes say more than a thousand words, and she was the one who could most clearly convey this message, because it’s all about her!

I engraved her portrait on a simple silver charm, and my hope is that her gaze will open more eyes to how the world really looks and inspire more people to get involved. On the back, we went back and forth but concluded that the clean, frame-free, and unadorned style is the clearest. I engraved Plan International Sweden’s motto for the International Day of the Girl, CHANGE GIRLS’ FUTURE, in a clear style so the message reaches straight to the heart. Around the charm, I engraved Plan International Sweden Girl Award 2022 and the amazing winners EXISTERA.

WINNER OF THE GIRL AWARD 2022

Every year, about 3.9 million girls worldwide undergo female genital mutilation. In 1982, Sweden introduced a law banning female genital mutilation. Sweden was then the first country in the Western world to prohibit female genital mutilation. Despite this, it is estimated that as many as 75,000 girls and women have been subjected to genital mutilation in Sweden. Female genital mutilation involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia and, in some cases, sewing them shut. The abuse is done to control girls’ and women’s bodies and sexuality, causing great psychological and physical suffering for those affected.

The 2022 Girl Award is given to the association Existera. Existera is a non-profit organization working to prevent girls from being subjected to genital mutilation and provides support to women who have been affected. The association is run by women who are children of survivors and by women with experience working against men’s violence toward women.

During October, Feministsmith donates 10% of every sold Clitoris jewelry piece to Existera. Help us in the fight for an equal world! Every financial gift matters, and you can also Swish directly to Existera at 123 367 88 02 or use the QR code below. Follow them on Instagram, @existera_org, or learn more at existera.org!

Together we are strong!