MEET THE WORLD’S GREATEST SECRET WEAPON

Who run the world? Girls!

Who run the world? Girls!

So Beyonce says.

But sometimes, it doesn’t feel like it.

That’s why we love this US Nick Jr. campaign so much.

It’s a reminder that girls rock. And if we teach our daughters, nieces, students and friends that they can do anything, they will grow up rejecting the word no.

No, you can’t do that, you’re a girl. Say what? We say no to no!

When I was a kid, girls weren’t encouraged to play sport as much as boys. To throw like a girl was the ultimate insult, and you better not cry like a little girl. Subconsciously, all this girl bashing took its toll, and I never played a competitive sport.

I want to make it a different world for my daughter. She’s a powerful little human being, who wants to be Prime Minister, a microbiologist and a professional soccer player. And why not?

This Nick Jr. promo is so great because it starts like a traditional blockbuster promo. But instead of

‘In a world…’ or ‘He was a good cop having a bad day….’, it begins with:

‘They’re the world’s greatest secret weapon, they know no limits, and they’re always ready for action... They are...Girls!’

The promo features loads of little girls rock climbing, doing martial arts, building robots, coordinating missions and generally kicking butt.

It reminds us of the incredibly powerful Like A Girl campaign, which aimed to reclaim that silly insult and make it a powerful statement.

Running like a girl means putting your heart and soul and all of your grunt into it. Since when did it become and insult?

Little girls need powerful, inspiring role models. Older girls and women who smash the stereotypes and prove that girls can do anything they set their minds and hearts to.

We love Elyse Perry, who made her international debut in both cricket and soccer at the age of 16. And regardless of your political persuasion, Julia Gillard knocked all those blue tied chauvinists off their post when she was in power. Other amazing Ausie role models we love include Jessica Mauboy, Cate Blanchett, netballer Liz Cambage, young world sailor Jessica Watson and robotics creator Marita Cheng.

Girls may be the world’s greatest secret weapon. But they will not be a secret (or quiet) for long.