Prior to the pandemic, 132 million girls between the ages of 6 and 17 were out of school. As a result of COVID-19 disruptions, the UN estimates that more than 11 million additional girls may not return to school.
Evidence shows that enrolling and keeping girls in school can positively impact their health, protection and economic prosperity, and improve the security of their communities and countries. Yet, barriers such as child marriage, harassment, violence, care burdens and negative gender norms keep girls from long-term, quality education, denying them this basic human right.
The bipartisan Keeping Girls in School Act (H.R. 4134/S.2276) is designed to harness the power of the U.S. Government to address these barriers through smart investments and coordination between government agencies in countries where girls are disproportionately more likely to drop out of school than boys.
Please sign to show your support for the Keeping Girls in School Act, because girls everywhere deserve an education and opportunities.
As a UNICEF supporter and your constituent, I am deeply concerned about girls' ability to access quality education around the world. Girls everywhere face abuse, discrimination and inequalities that puts their education at risk.
The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the challenges girls confront in accessing education. In times of crisis, girls face heightened protection risks and may be trafficked or forced into child labor or child marriage. Prior to the pandemic, 132 million girls between the ages of 6 and 17 were out of school. Now, as a result of COVID-19 school disruptions, UNESCO estimates that more than 11 million additional girls may not return to school.
Education provides a lifetime of opportunity for girls. Just one dollar invested in an additional year of schooling generates earnings and health benefits of $10 in low-income countries and nearly $4 in lower middle-income countries. In addition, girls with secondary or higher education levels are three times less likely to marry as children compared to girls with no education.
These are not just statistics – this is reality for millions of young women every day. That's why Congress must act now to cosponsor and pass the Keeping Girls in School Act (H.R. 4134/S.2276).
The Keeping Girls in School Act is a bipartisan bill that is designed to leverage smart investments and coordination between U.S. government agencies to holistically tackle the barriers that prevent girls from accessing education.
As a constituent who cares about all children and their futures, I'm asking you to please cosponsor and help pass the Keeping Girls in School Act.
Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
[Name]
