While the oppression of girls perpetuates a cycle of poverty, the empowerment of girls has a ripple effect that strengthens families, communities, countries, and ultimately the world.

Over the years, we’ve invested in this cause so fervently to this day. There’s about 1000 reasons why we believe in it, but we’ll break it down to only 5 great ones.

1. It’s her right.

Fundamentally, this is a human rights issue…What happens to adolescent girls should matter because human rights matter. Girls deserve the same opportunities to pursue their hopes and dreams no matter where they live.

2. Empowered girls mean healthier families.

When girls are educated, healthy, and empowered, families are healthier. Education systems have evolved and include sexual education in the syllabus where girls get to learn about the importance of contraception. This eliminates issues such as teenage pregnancies. Not to mention, women adopting family planning methods which equals healthier families.

3. Empowered girls are key to breaking the cycle of poverty for families around the world. Research from the Brookings Institution has found that every additional year of school increases a girls’ eventual wages by an average of 12% – earnings she invests back into her family. Empowered, educated girls have healthier, better educated children and higher wages – helping to break the cycle of poverty.

4. Empowered girls strengthen economies.

Girls that have been through an education system are likely to be employed and contribute to the country’s economy in the long run. This promotes more productive and stable countries — enhancing global prosperity and security and benefiting us all.

5. Did we mention it’s the right thing to do?

Investing in girls is one of the smartest things we can do to promote a healthier, more prosperous world. More importantly, it’s the right thing to do. Every girl has the right to be in charge of her future and her fate, and we have the collective obligation to protect her rights and promote her wellbeing.

Girl child and women empowerment isn’t an issue up for debate in 2020 and that’s why we are so committed to it. Let’s join hands and empower a girl somewhere in the world, we owe it to her.