Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The Girl Effect 2011

 

I went through a lot of things that I felt were unfair when I was young.  But, imagine that the fate of your entire life was set for you at 13 and your parents didn’t think life included hopes, dreams and abilities. 

I’m struggling to imagine a world where I would value cattle over my daughter’s future.

Please watch Kidan’s story

Her mother’s response to school: “There is no time for rest.”

Girls are at a Crossroads.

Girls living in poverty are uniquely capable of creating a better future. But when a girl reaches adolescence, she comes to a crossroads.

Things can go one of two ways for her and for everyone around her.

FACT: Today, more than 600 million girls live in the developing world. The total global population of girls ages 10 to 24 — already the largest in history — is expected to peak in the next decade.

FACT: One girl in seven in developing countries marries before age 15. 38 percent marry before age 18.

FACT: Pregnancy is the world’s leading cause of death for girls 15 to 19 years old.

More sobering facts available here.

You can watch Anita’s story in my previous post – the domino effect that happens in a village when a girl does go to school.

What can you do to help?

Watch the videos here and find out more about the girl effect.

Write a blog post to educate your friends and family about it.

Donate at Global Giving for Girl Effect in general or a special project that touches your heart.

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