Everytime I see this video, I cry.

 

I first learned about the Girl Effect last year.  It was during a time that I was exploring the idea of becoming more socially consciousness and was considering partnering AHP with a charitable organization.  I searched the web looking for causes that I could relate to and resonated the most strongly with my heart.  I’ve always been a huge animal lover so the ASPCA became a viable option.  And on the other hand, I watched cancer come into my grandmother’s life and ravage her world until the day she died.  So joining a cancer organization was very high on my list as well.  Then I came across the Girl Effect.  An organization that believes that the solution to ending poverty in developing nations, lies in investing in the education of adolescent girls.  Young girls in developing nations are often deprived of receiving a solid education, which typically leads to them marrying young, being subject to spousal abuse, and unable to mobilize themselves or their community.  But when they are educated these girls are more likely to grow into women that are better able to support their family, marry later, and foster the growth of the community.  The goal of the Girl Effect is to equip and empower young girls of developing nations. 

Take a look at this:

• One out of seven girls in developing countries will marry before age 15.  38% before the age of 18.

• A survey in India found that girls who marry before age 18 were twice as likely to report being beaten, slapped or threatened by their husbands.

• 75% of 15-24 year olds living with HIV in Africa are female.  And that percentage is increasing every year.

After reading these statistics something automatically clicked within me.  In that moment I knew the Girl Effect was something I wanted to be a part of and help in anyway I could.  But after the reality of this unsettling problem set in, I became disenchanted. I shut down, felt overwhelmed, and wondered how one person at AHP could possibly make a difference.  

That was last year, and today those stats I mentioned above are still very real and will not improve if they are ignored.  Today, I’m ready to do what I know in my heart is the right thing and I hope that you will join me.  By simply spreading the word about the idea behind the Girl Effect can bring more awareness to the problem and create lasting change.

Here’s how you can help! 

On October 4^th – 11^th join me and many other bloggers that will be blogging about the Girl Effect. Blogging about the Girl Effect is a great chance to connect with other bloggers and share your blog with other communities all while bringing attention to this amazing cause.

You can sign up HERE to get started.  If you need help on writing your post, check HERE for some awesome tips.

“Whatever you do, even if it is small, you will see a brighter future.” – Shumi, Bangladesh

 

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