Imagine The Girl Effect

Lennon Wall in Prague

The Girl Effect, n.

The unique potential of 600 million adolescent girls

to end poverty for themselves and the world.

I was born lucky.

I was born female to a middle class family and was told that I could do whatever I wanted. It was expected that I would get a good education and go on to college.

After receiving a degree, I landed a good job, married at 25 and had my first child at 30. Today, at mid-life, I have the option of pursuing my dreams as an entrepreneur.

Throughout my life, I have had the example, inspiration and support of many other women.

Here is what life is like for 600 million girls in the developing world.

Most are born into poverty, and if they are able to go to school, many of them leave when they reach adolescence to help with chores at home. Between the ages of 14 and 21, many get pregnant and marry.

Some contract HIV. Some are abused. Some die during childbirth. And the cycle continues. They don’t know any other way.

Can you imagine what the world would be like if these 600 million adolescent girls were able to lift themselves out of poverty and get the education many of us take for granted?

Enter the Girl Effect. Take a look at Anita’s story.

I don’t know where she got the strength to fight the resistance, with a hunger strike no less, but she did. And because of it, there is a ripple effect. She helps her parents and inspires other girls.

That’s the Girl Effect.

Today, I join hundreds of other bloggers in bringing awareness to the sobering statistics and the awesome potential for those 600 million girls. I am so thankful for the life I was given, and would like to help girls that do not have it so lucky.

Won’t you join me in investing in The Girl Effect? Last week, I donated a percentage of income from my current photography workshop to a program in India, Be! Inspiring Girls with new stories of possibility (see sidebar).

What Can You Do?

1. Expand your awareness. Learn more about the Girl Effect.

2. Blog about the Girl Effect. More than 500 bloggers are already bringing awareness to the Girl Effect. We would like to get that to 1,000. For tips, visit Tara Sophia Mohr’s site. Add your blog post here.

3. Donate to the cause or to a specific program. If you are in the U.S., text GIRL to 50555 to donate $10 (USD) to the Girl Effect.

Or donate online at www.globalgiving.org/girleffect . Your Girl Effect donation will support girls through a variety of programs. Donate directly to a specific program here.

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