Nearly 1 billion women and girls are living on just $1.25 per day. In fact, women and girls make up 70% of the total 1.4 billion people globally who are living on $1.25 per day. Here at Because I am a Girl, we talk a lot about ending poverty for girls in developing countries. But you may be wondering just how we are working to break the cycle. 5 tools to end poverty Each of these 5 tools is an essential part of preventing poverty from being passed from one generation to the next. 

1. Education: Education is a proven way to lift girls – and everyone around them – out of poverty. Every year a girl stays in school, her future income increases by 15 to 25%. Girls in school are also less likely to become child brides, and will have healthier children when they grow up. Plan helps make sure girls are in school by training teachers, building new schools and breaking down barriers that prevent them from attending school.

2. Health: Babies, girls and their moms need good nutrition to build healthy bodies and healthy brains. As they grow up and become teens, adults and then moms themselves, access to health care services is essential to help girls break the cycle of poverty. Plan helps communities build health clinics, train health care workers and invest in equipment and medicine so moms stay healthy and children can grow up strong.

3. Economic security: Girls make up half of the world's future earners and providers. With practical knowledge, tangible skills, and savings opportunities, they can build economic foundations that unleash their full potential, and transform the futures of those around them. Plan's employment programs provide job training and promote local savings and loan groups for girls who don't have access to traditional financial services.

4. Safety and protection: Girls in every country face sexual, physical and emotional violence just because they are girls. Whether it is at school, at home, or after a disaster, ending violence against women and girls is a fundamental part of achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty. Plan protects girls by working with communities and governments on long-term fixes to gender-based violence.

5. Girls' participation: Gender and age discrimination often prevents girls from taking part in decisions that affect their lives. Girls' knowledge and insight into their lives and the world around them is a key ingredient in identifying problems and finding solutions. Plan’s child-centred community development approach helps girls learn about their rights and take an active role in community development.

Breaking the cycle of poverty begins when you invest in girls.