This International Day of the Girl, a new short documentary asks: What does it take for every girl to count?

On October 11, Plan International Canada brings girls’ rights into focus across Canada with I Have a Name, latest feature film about what happens when girls go unseen

 

Caption: Lisa LaFlamme moderates a panel discussion with filmmaker and director Ditsi Carolino, Joel Dizon of Plan International Philippines and Tanja Suvilaakso of Plan International Canada, following the world premiere of I Have a Name at Plan International Canada’s International Day of the Girl event in Toronto on Oct. 1, 2026. Photo: Plan International Canada.

TORONTO, Oct. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What happens when a girl is invisible to the systems meant to protect her? Ahead of International Day of the Girl on October 11, Plan International Canada is bringing a powerful idea to life: Proof that a girl exists can open the door to school, health care, and protection. But being truly seen and supported is what can unlock her potential.

About 150 million children under age five, roughly one in five worldwide, have no birth certificate.

“This film shows how a girl can be here and still be treated as though she doesn’t exist,” said Dena Allen, Vice President of Communications and Public Engagement at Plan International Canada. “A birth certificate is a critical first step, but it can’t erase the many barriers girls still face. These past few years, we’ve seen girls’ rights being actively dismantled around the world – too many girls are being denied the chance to learn, be safe, and shape their own futures. We all lose when that happens.”

Caption: Plan International Canada President and CEO Lindsay Glassco delivers remarks at Plan International Canada’s International Day of the Girl celebration in Toronto on Oct. 1, 2026. Photo: Plan International Canada.

When a girl exists, but not on paper

• I Have a Name: The film was directed by award-winning Filipino filmmaker Ditsi Carolino and follows two mothers in Lanao del Sur, Philippines, trying to secure birth certificates for their children. A birth certificate can determine whether a girl can sit in a classroom, see a doctor, prove her age to help guard her from child marriage or trafficking, and have her rights as a child recognized.
  

Caption: Ditsi Carolino, award-winning filmmaker and director of "I Have a Name," speaks alongside panelists Joel Dizon of Plan International Philippines and Tanja Suvilaakso of Plan International Canada at the International Day of the Girl event in Toronto on Oct. 1, 2026. Photo: Plan International Canada.

• The world premiere: More than 400 guests attended Plan International Canada’s Every Girl Counts event at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema in Toronto on October 1. Plan Global Ambassador Maitreyi Ramakrishnan emceed, and longtime Plan ambassador Lisa LaFlamme led a conversation with Carolino, Joel Dizon of Plan International Philippines, and Tanja Suvilaakso of Plan International Canada.
  

Caption: Plan International Canada Celebrated Ambassadors Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Lisa LaFlamme attend the world premiere of "I Have a Name" at the organization’s International Day of the Girl event in Toronto on Oct. 1, 2026. Plan International Canada led the creation of this global day that celebrates girls' rights and mobilizes action to overcome the barriers girls face worldwide.

• What changed: Through Community Partnership with Girls, Plan International and local partners in the Philippines are bringing free birth-registration services closer to families in Lanao del Sur. Since May 2026, more than 400 children in the community have been registered, with another 500 expected to be reached over the next year.
• How it was made: The film was produced by Plan International Canada and Plan International Philippines as part of Plan’s Embedded Storytellers program.

Creator voices make it even more personal

A creator campaign featuring Filipino-Canadian creators, newcomers, and community voices gives audiences across Canada more personal ways to connect with Plan International’s work in partnership with girls. Through stories about their own lives, hopes, and opportunities, creators bring the film’s themes closer to home. Plan International Canada will amplify selected content around October 11.

A Canadian spotlight on girls’ rights around the world

From the film to the activations around it, the creative thread is simple: What is hidden is brought into the light. At the Every Girl Counts event, UV light revealed hidden messages from participants featured in I Have a Name. On October 11, Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, Sails of Light at BC Place, Moncton City Hall, and other landmarks around Moncton will shine in blue and pink – a Canadian rallying cry to recognize every girl, her rights, and her potential.

The Light Within bracelet: Created with Canadian jewelry company NOGU, this limited-edition bracelet features Firefly Glass™ beads that appear clear in daylight and glow blue under UV light or in darkness, echoing the campaign’s theme of bringing what is hidden into the light. Half of the proceeds of every bracelet purchased will support Plan International Canada’s work to advance children’s rights and equality for girls.

Take part this International Day of the Girl

• Watch: Stream I Have a Name beginning October 11 and use the conversation guide.
• Explore: Discover more of Plan International Canada’s short documentary films, produced in collaboration with filmmakers around the world.
• Read: Explore Plan International’s 2026 State of the World’s Girls report, the organization’s flagship research series since 2007.
• Support: Donate to Community Partnership with Girls.
• Wear: Purchase The Light Within bracelet and help support girls’ rights.
  
  

Caption: Hundreds of audience members hold up glowing bracelets during Plan International Canada’s International Day of the Girl event in Toronto on Oct. 1, 2026. Photo: Plan International Canada.

See the film. Hear their stories. Help ensure every girl is counted and recognized: plancanada.ca/DayOfTheGirl.

About Plan International Canada’s Embedded Storytellers program

Plan International Canada’s Embedded Storytellers program works with locally based filmmakers and photographers to share stories about girls’ rights in participants’ own words. Watch the collection.

About International Day of the Girl

Plan International Canada spearheaded an extensive two-year campaign beginning in 2009, in partnership with the Honourable Rona Ambrose and thousands of Canadians and activists around the world, in a call for an International Day of the Girl, a global initiative to recognize girls’ rights as human rights.

In December 2011, with unanimous all-party support, the Canadian government brought the initiative to the United Nations, which officially declared October 11 as International Day of the Girl. Nearly 15 years later, the day Plan International Canada helped create continues to put girls and their rights at the centre, recognizing that equality for girls drives progress for all.

About Plan International Canada

Plan International Canada is a member of a global organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan International has been building powerful partnerships with and for children for almost 90 years and is now active in more than 80 countries.

We stand with girls wherever they are oppressed, exploited, left behind, or not equally valued. We are determined optimists and will continue to persevere until we are all equal.

Visit plancanada.ca for more information.

Media contact
Plan International Canada
PR & Communications
PRteam@plancanada.ca

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