puts it this way , “ I feel a deep , personal commitment to empowering women and girls . Not just because I ’ m the dad of three daughters . You see , among vulnerable children living in the world ’ s poorest places , girls are even more vulnerable . This fact continues to strike me as on the most underaddressed issues in our world .”
But it ’ s not enough to understand how disadvantaged girls are . It ’ s important to understand that when girls are empowered , they have a ripple effect on their families , communities , and countries . A girl who is educated tends to marry later , have fewer children , enjoy a more stable marriage , and create a better livelihood for herself and her family . She works to better her community and makes sure her own children are educated . Empowering girls breaks the chain of poverty and creates a better future for us all .
When the Nike Foundation set out to invest in the best way to overcome global poverty , they discovered that girls were the key . They launched a campaign called The Girl Effect because , as the foundation president Maria Eitel said , “ The one thing that never changes is girls ’ potential . Wherever you are , whatever the context , girls prove that they have the potential to rebuild their families , communities , and countries .”
So how can we take the next step to support girls ? Understanding the depth of the problem is part of the answer . It is eyeopening to realize how many challenges girls face . Then it ’ s important to realize that as Americans we have many opportunities to make a difference . Here are some ways to begin :
Educate . Learn about the obstacles girls face around the world by reading books like Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristoff and Sheryl WuDunn ; I Am a Girl from Africa by Elizabeth Nyamayaro ; Home Is Us by Jackie Ogega ; and Strong Girls , Strong World by Dale Hanson Bourke . Search the websites of UNICEF and international NGOs to learn about the issues facing girls and the programs they offer .
Do a book study or lead a Sunday school class using one of the books . Ask for visitors from mission groups to talk about the challenges facing girls specifically .
Advocate . Sign up for policy alerts from World Vision , Oxfam , CARE , and other groups that advocate for legislation that protects girls . Current legislation includes proposals to help girls stay in school , to prevent violence against women and girls , and to end child marriage .
Ask the organizations you support how they specifically help girls . Many have girlcentered activities to help girls stay in school and avoid early marriage , and they need funding for those programs .
Act . Sponsor a girl through Compassion , Food for the Poor , World Vision , or smaller organizations that provide opportunities for support . Write letters to your sponsored child , encouraging her to stay in school and dream about her future .
12