FACT: Globally, more than 62 million girls are not attending primary or secondary school.
Every day, girls around the world are denied their right to education, and the knowledge, skills and opportunities to create a better, brighter future.
Source: UNESCO’s Institute for Statistics
FACT: Pregnancy and childbirth is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 19 year-old girls globally.
Complications during pregnancy and childbirth put the lives of adolescent girls at risk, as well as their babies. Getting pregnant while still very young increases the risk of premature labour, complications during childbirth, and death of the newborn infant.
Source: World Health Organization
FACT: For every extra year a girl stays in school, her income can increase by 10 to 20%
When girls are educated, they have the knowledge, skills and opportunities to create a better, brighter future for themselves and everyone around them.
Soure: World Bank policy research working paper: Returns to Investment in Education: A further update
FACT: Each year, approximately 15 million girls under 18 will be married; that's 41,000 each day, nearly 1 girl every 2 seconds.
Child, early or forced marriage impacts the lives of millions of girls around the world. Child marriage violates girls’ human rights, and can jeopardize their education and their health.
Source: UNICEF
FACT: When a girl in the developing world receives seven years of education, she marries four years later and has 2.2 fewer, healthier children.
Girls who receive an education marry later, have fewer children, and are more likely to seek healthcare for themselves and their children.
Source: Centre for Global Development
FACT: Globally, if all women completed primary education, there would be 66% fewer maternal deaths.
Education is one of the most powerful ways of improving maternal, newborn and child health. With an education, mothers are better informed about diseases, preventative measures and are more likely to access healthcare services for themselves and their children.
Source: UNESCO
FACT: In developing countries, girls are 2x as likely to suffer from malnutrition.
In many societies, women and girls eat the food remaining after the male family members have eaten. This "food discrimination" can result in chronic under nutrition and poor-health.
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
FACT: In 2014, almost 62% of all new HIV infections among adolescents occurred among adolescent girls.
While the rate of new HIV infections is declining overall, young women are disproportionately impacted globally.
Source: UNAIDS
FACT: Discrimination and gender inequalities in societies around the world create many barriers to girls’ education.
There are many things that can keep girls out of school. Barriers to girls’ education include: poverty, child marriage, household duties, the distance to school, and even the lack of girls-only toilet facilities.
Source: UNICEF