Girl Up

How I love having the time and ability to read ... I'm always learning. 

My latest read was in an article entitled, 'The Best Investment - If you really want to fight poverty, fuel growth and combat extremism, try girl power,' from a recent 'Time' magazine.

The article focussed on girls from developing countries.  It laid out some tough statistics: 1 in 5 girls make it to secondary school; nearly half are married by the time they are 18; the leading cause of death for girls 15 - 19 is complications from pregnancy; girls under 15 are five times as likely to die while having children; they are less likely to be vaccinated; and eats only the food left over once the men and boys have finished their feed.

 Now that I have two daughters of my own, I see even more countless reasons as to why rescuing girls is a must.  Further statistics show: an extra year in primary school boosts a girl's eventual wage by 10% - 20%; a girl who stays in school longer is more likely to marry four years later and have less children; and a girl who earn an income reinvest 90% of it back into their family by buying books, medicine and bed nets.

A new initiative called Girl Up (girlup.org) aims to mobilise 100, 000 American girls to raise money and awareness to fight poverty, sexual assault and child marriage.  Check out the YouTube clip (above) and the website.

What do you think we here in Australia can do to help?