7 Reasons Why The Fight For Girls’ Rights Still Matters

A reminder that girls’ rights are human rights.

1. Because in many countries girls are disadvantaged right from the start.

Because I am a Girl Canada

Gender discrimination starts at birth and continues through every stage of a girl's life.

2. Because close to 65 million girls around the world are not in school.

Because I am a Girl Canada

Every girl has the right to an education, but poverty, child marriage, violence, lack of toilets and long distances to school, prevent millions of girls from getting an education. Yet with an education, girls can lift themselves – and everyone around them – out of poverty. For every extra year a girl stays in school, her income can increase by 15 to 25%!

3. Because some girls who do get the chance to go to school are attacked for simply wanting to learn.

Malala Fund

Think Malala Yousafzai – teenage girl attacked by terrorists for speaking out about girls’ right to education in Pakistan. Think the hundreds of school girls kidnapped in Nigeria, resulting in the campaign to #BringBackOurGirls.

4. Because there are girls forced to become wives and mothers when still children themselves.

Because I am a Girl Canada

In developing countries, 1 in 3 girls is married by her 18th birthday. That’s 14 million per year, and nearly 39,000 every day. Once married, girls are expected to become mothers when they’re not mentally or physically ready – putting their lives and their children’s lives at risk. Ending child marriage could improve maternal, newborn and child health worldwide.

5. Because improving girls’ rights is beneficial to boys too.

Plan Canada

Improving girls' rights isn’t just about girls – it’s about achieving gender equality. Studies show gender equality helps boys succeed in school, be more comfortable with their own identity and emotions, and it helps them build positive relationships.

6. Because investing in girls is KEY to eliminating poverty.

Because I am a Girl Canada

Investing in girls means investing in entire communities. If 10% more girls attend school, a country’s GDP increases by an average of 3%.

7. Because when girls ARE empowered, they can change the world.

Plan Canada

When girls are educated, healthy and informed, they have the power to create a safer and brighter future for themselves, their families and even their entire communities!

If you believe girls' rights are human rights, then join the global movement to create a #BrighterFuture for girls everywhere.