About ‘Her’

The Global Give Back Circle is designed to help at-risk girls realize their leadership potential and become change-makers, while gaining the skills needed to get a good job so that they can break the cycle of poverty and lift up their families and communities too.



5%

In some African countries, less than 5% of girls complete secondary education.

1%

Only 1% of the U.S. budget goes to foreign aid and only a small fraction of that goes to educating and empowering girls.

62 million girls around the world are not in school – half of whom are adolescents.

Mentoring has proven to improve confidence in adolescent girls, make them feel valued, while allowing them to believe in their self worth.

Why Girls?

Investing in the education and empowerment of marginalized girls is an investment in the future of a nation. An educated and empowered girl will marry later, have fewer children, earn more money, invest in the health and education of her children and help others.

Vulnerable Girls Lack Access to Higher Education

Since the United Nations Millennium Development Goals were announced, African nations have made marked advancements in enrolling girls in primary school. Completion and continuation to secondary school remains a challenge. In some African countries, less than 5% of girls complete secondary education. Poor girls fare worst. Girls from the poorest households are twice as likely not to attend secondary school compared to girls from wealthier households.

Education is Not Enough

To be successful, girls need more than access to education. The International Center for Research on Women has observed that newer strategies emphasize the empowerment of women and that “empowered girls who become healthy, productive and empowered adults are a force for positive social, economic, and political change.” Judith Bruce of the Population Council cites the need to work directly with girls, “There is an overwhelming tendency to try to fix girls problems without ever working with the girls themselves” and programs bring “real change to real girls by engaging them directly while developing their leadership capacities.”

Mentors Change Lives

Studies in the United States have shown that resilient youth who overcame extreme poverty and troubled families had the support of mentors – often unrelated adults. Big Brothers Big Sisters found that a caring, trusting adult in a disadvantaged youth s life, someone to confide in and look up to, was what mattered most. Mentoring has proven to increase confidence, make youth feel valued and allowed them to believe in their self-worth. Mentors bring hope helping at-risk youth to look beyond their current situation and imagine a successful future.

Investing in Women and Girls is an Investment in the Future of a Nation

It is the poorest girls in the world s poorest communities who offer the greatest promise in reducing extreme poverty. Yet they are the largest and most overlooked segment of the world s population. Only 1% of the U.S. budget goes to foreign aid and only a small fraction of that goes to educating and empowering girls.


Get Involved

Interested in giving time and talent? Check out our mentorship, volunteering and sponsorship opportunities for more information.

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