The Basic Education Coalition applauds Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL), Congressman Michael Waltz (R-FL), Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) for the bipartisan, bicameral introduction of the Keeping Girls in School Act.
In many countries, barriers such as child marriage, early pregnancy and motherhood, and gender-based violence can prevent girls from completing their education and reaching their full potential. The Keeping Girls in School Act will help adolescent girls remain and succeed in secondary school by directing U.S. foreign assistance to address the specific barriers that adolescent girls face in continuing their education.
“It is imperative that U.S. foreign assistance aim to break down gender-related barriers to education, particularly in secondary school when adolescent girls are at risk of dropping out, and the Keeping Girls in School Act will help ensure that girls’ education programs promote holistic and multi-sectoral solutions that prioritize gender equity and broaden support for girls’ education at every level of society.”
“When girls are educated their futures are brighter. This means greater prosperity and security for their families, communities, and the world. 11 million girls are at risk of never returning to school around the world right now, which means there are 11 million reasons that we need to care about this issue. This bill will tackle the barriers keeping girls out of school, and help build a more peaceful, prosperous, and equitable world.”
“As a Green Beret who has operated all over the world, I have seen firsthand that in societies where women thrive, extremism doesn’t. Adolescent girls are disproportionately at risk of dropping out of school than boys. The Keeping Girls in School Act will help ensure girls can safely access the proper education they deserve. Girls’ education is essential to our national security and this legislation will help make the United States and the world safer places.”
“When girls are empowered with access to quality education, it sets their societies on the fast track for success and economic development. That’s why addressing the global gender education gap must be a critical U.S. policy priority. I’m proud to reintroduce bipartisan legislation that requires a global strategy to address barriers impeding education while getting to the root causes of these disparities. I’m glad to partner with Senator Murkowski on this crucial legislation to make clear the U.S. has a moral obligation to act now to protect and educate girls across the world.”
“On the global scale, there are a staggering number of girls who are not in school because their attendance is deterred by unsafe environments, forced marriages, domestic violence, harassment, or poor socioeconomic status. These are all tragic obstacles, but through this legislation we have an opportunity to help. Education is a key factor in creating a healthy, successful future, both for individuals and for society at large. I’m proud to reintroduce legislation that will help break down barriers and give millions of girls in primary school and for young women pursuing a secondary education the chance to make attending school a reality.”
The Basic Education Coalition looks forward to working with Congress and the more than 50 supporting nongovernmental organizations to ensure that this important piece of legislation becomes law.
The Basic Education Coalition is a group of leading U.S.-based organizations and academic institutions working together to promote global peace and prosperity through education.