Help Sesame Street Educate Girls Worldwide

Thanks to your support of our campaign, Help Sesame Street Educate Girls Worldwide, we are able to create powerful girl characters who act as inspiring role models.

From clever Chamki on India’s Galli Galli Sim Sim to curious Zari on Afghanistan’s Baghch-e-Simsim, our inspirational characters help girls envision possibilities they may have never imagined, encouraging them to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals.

Learn more about our international coproductions that put gender equity center stage:

Baghch-e-Simsim

Since 2011, children in Afghanistan have found joy and learning through Baghch-e-Simsim, which translates to “Sesame Garden” in both Dari and Pashto, the two languages in which it is broadcast on TV and radio.

The popular show engages children and caregivers alike, and audiences have fallen in love with Zari, the first local Sesame Muppet character, introduced in 2016. A kind and nurturing 6-year-old girl with a sharp mind and a knack for asking questions, Zari loves going to school, sports, and playing games with her friends. Her younger brother Zeerak demonstrates his love for his sister, modeling boys’ respecting girls and advancing Baghch-e-Simsim’s work to promote gender equity

Zari is beloved by boys and girls, who are both vital in the effort to shift societal perceptions of girls and what they’re capable of. Over three million children ages 3-7 are tuning in, and more than 70% of parents and caregivers watch the program alongside children (research has shown that parent engagement with a child during viewing further increases learning outcomes). In a smaller study, children who watched the series regularly demonstrated greater gains in important basic academic skills, gender equity attitudes, and knowledge about emotions than non-viewers.

Galli Galli Sim Sim

Galli Galli Sim Sim, the locally produced version of Sesame Street, has brought quality early education to India since 2006. Broadcast in Hindi and several other Indian languages on television and radio, Galli Galli Sim Sim features a diverse cast, vibrant set, and music and stories that reflect the country’s many cultures and traditions. Gender Equity is a central focus of Galli Galli Sim Sim. In a country where 40% of girls don’t go to secondary school, Chamki sets a powerful example. She loves wearing her school uniform, going to class each day, and learning new things. A bright and energetic role model, Chamki inspires young girls to pursue education and helps them see possibilities for themselves they may never have imagined.

Multiple studies show that Galli Galli Sim Sim reaches children across cultures in every demographic group, and that preschoolers who watch do significantly better than those who don’t on a range of developmental outcomes. For example, children who encountered our content through our radiophone project showed more than 2x improvement in literacy and language and socio-emotional skills. Children in first grade classrooms who used Galli Galli Play ‘n’ Learn content showed 3x improvement in word knowledge and imagination.

Thank you for joining our campaign to Help Sesame Street Educate Girls Worldwide. We look forward to sharing more about the work your support makes possible.