Sony World Photography Awards presents

Every day, girls face barriers to education caused by poverty, cultural norms and practices, poor infrastructure and violence. The Right To Play creates a powerful narrative that sheds light on the challenges faced by millions of girls globally in their pursuit of an education.

The project poses the question - What do girls dream of? And what happens when a supportive environment is created where girls are empowered and given the opportunity to learn and dream? What does that world look like?

The result is a poignant exploration of the dreams and aspirations of young girls, challenging societal expectations that limit their potential. By creating a playful world where girls are not confined by poverty, cultural norms, or violence and instead, is shown through a lens that paints a vivid picture of the possibilities that arise when girls are given the opportunity to learn and dream freely.

The Right To Play merges storytelling with an imagined playful world where girls are shown in an empowered and affirming way blooming as the heroines of their own stories and overcoming the many barriers to getting an education.

This project was created with Kakenya's Dream, a nonprofit organization that leverages education to empower girls, end harmful traditional practices including female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, and transform communities in rural Kenya.