Because I Am a Girl

So, today, a report came out on the effect of the global financial crisis on women and girls. I have previously linked one of my most favorite charities--The Girl Effect--who deal with economic aid and development issues as they impact women and girls.

The report is excellent. (Though I could quibble a teeeeeeny bit about the design of a report about girls and women that makes every pulled quote PINK, but whatever. That's a losing fight. I get that.) It starts with a grim call to action:

The global financial crisis is taking a heavy toll on families and communities everywhere, and when money is short it is girls and young women who are most affected.

As a result of the current crisis, in 2009 alone an estimated additional 50,000 African babies will die before their first birthday. Most of these will be girls.

The numbers, if you stack them up, are grim. The falling economy results in girls being pulled out of school to take a job to help support the family. Sweatshops and child labor are often the BEST things that these girls can hope for. The economy being what it is just about everywhere, the sex trade is often where those girls end up working.

The report ends with a ten point plan for how to prevent the economic crisis from destroying the inroads made in helping women and girls.

1. No compromise on global gender equality goals and international commitments.
2. Promote the full integration of gender equality principles into national and regional economic policies.
3. Prioritize girls' education from their earliest years through to adolescence and beyond.
4. Maintain national social protection programs and safeguard social services.
5. Scale up investment in young women's work opportunity.
6. Support young women workers and ensure they get decent pay and conditions.
7. Invest in young women's leadership.
8. Ensure equality for girls and young women in land and property ownership.
9. Count and value young girls and young women's work through national and international data disaggregation.
10. Develop and promote a set of practical global guiding principles on girls and young women at work.

The conclusion, and the reason for redirecting our focus, is simply put: "Educated girls mean the chance of a better life for themselves and their children, a more prosperous community, a better workforce, and a wealthier nation."