GIRLS!

We need to take action to close the gap between women and men – the hopes, ambitions and future of billions hinge on the leaders of today making the right decisions and investments – educating a girl.

A recent study, Adolescent Girls Multilevel Vulnerability Index, captured adolescent vulnerability at the individual, household, and community level. The study is another important tool to generate discussion on the important issue: children, specifically girls and investing dollars into their future.

The study identified gaps in adolescent areas that will help prepare future programming and policy in Africa. The study concluded priorities must:

  • focus on individual- and community-level vulnerabilities
  • increase educational attainment
  • encourage girls to stay in school
  • target social values and cultural norms that promote child marriage/early childbearing

Yes. Say it again, Sam. Invest in education for girls. That is where we need to focus our energy – be it Africa, the U.S., Middle East and beyond.

This is why Hope for Hearts continues its support of the all girl educational and training environment at St. Elizabeth Girls’ Academy. Providing a girl a hand-up to a life of self-sufficiency through education is our answer, the world’s answer to poverty.

The World Economic stats show:

  • There are still 66 million girls not attending school.
  • Extend a girl’s education 1-2 years past primary school increases her lifetime earnings 10-20 percent.
  • A country that keeps an additional 10 percent of girls in school longer, sees a national gross domestic product increase of 1-2 percent.

As a world today, we all need to advocate investment in the life of a girl.

Peace and love,

Cristen