Girls LEAD Act needs support to stop violence

Although COVID-19 is affecting everyone, it is disproportionately affecting women and girls around the world. COVID-19 has impacted women and girls through an increase in gender-based violence and through less access to education.

According to UNESCO, nearly 743 million girls are out of school worldwide. According to Save the Children, 2.5 million are at risk of child marriages between the years 2020-2050 and annually 12 million younger than 18 will marry.

The Girls LEAD Act will provide action in increasing girls’ participation in democracy, human rights and governance. These goals are important for stabilizing the future of these women and girls as well as ensuring greater security for the United States.

We need to reach out to our congressional leaders in support of the Girls LEAD Act and encourage our area representatives, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sen. Charles Schumer and Rep. Antonio Delgado, to co-sponsor the Girls LEAD Act. Noelle Vandebogartgonzalez

Troy Ambassador, Borgen Project