We have identified eight barriers that prevent girls from gaining quality education and skills for life.
Because I am a Girl aims to break down these barriers so millions of girls can move from poverty to opportunity.
Break these eight barriers and challenge gender discrimination so girls can transform their lives, and the world.
Over ten million girls under 18 years old are pressured into marriage each year. While underage marriage prevents girls from finishing school, it also exposes them to early pregnancy and further health risks.
1 in 7 girls are married before the age of 15
Physical, sexual or psychological violence are very real threats to girls in developing countries. Even in school, girls can face harassment, rape and discrimination from teachers and peers, thereby reducing their chances to succeed.
One in every four girls are sexually abused by the age of 18
Often society places lower priority on educating girls compared to boys. This is because of broader attitudes about the roles of women and men in society and family that have remained prevalent in their communities.
Less than half of girls in developing countries complete primary school
In many countries, higher value is placed on boys while girls are pushed into a lower social status, which often means that they are the last to eat or to even receive health care.
Girls are three times more likely to suffer from malnutrition than boys
Girls are often prevented from going to school as they are expected to help with domestic work and caring for younger children. In fact, girls spend between 33 to 85 per cent more time on unpaid care work than boys.
Around 90% of child workers are girls aged 12-17
Family income is usually the biggest factor when determining if girls go to school. Families with small incomes often have to decide which child to send to school, and the boys are almost always chosen.
When girls lack information about sexual health, they are at higher risk of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and diseases - and pregnancy is the biggest killer of girls aged 15-19.
Every 60 seconds a girl dies giving birth
Classroom activities reinforcing gender stereotypes and unsuitable facilities like shared toilets all contribute to discrimination in school, so girls are prevented from enjoying the educational rights they deserve.
Girls are persecuted more than any other political or religious group
This years report looks in detail at why, despite much effort and good will, girls still lose out at school and at home. How can we keep all girls in school, including the poorest and most marginalised, improve the quality of the education they receive and empower them to take their rightful place as equal citizens?
As they reach adolescence in particular, girls and young women need to be able to achieve their potential; quality learning for life is at the heart of this.
Download this years report (PDF, 10.7MB)
Download the executive summary (PDF, 436kB)
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We work to empower children and communities to overcome poverty. We are dedicated to child rights and actively involve children, their families and communities in all of our work. We have no religious or political agenda and work at the grass roots to transform the world for children.
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