A girl should be able to control her own future.  

But to do this, she must have control over her own body, including her sexual and reproductive health. For too many girls around the world, a web of barriers gets in the way. 

If we look at the very different paths through adolescence that a girl may follow depending on where she lives, we can easily see the devastating impact of these barriers—things like child marriage, teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, and school dropout. 

We’ve built a simple timeline to show the potential paths of two girls and what’s at stake as they journey through adolescence. We think you’ll find it really interesting—please take a look. 

The key takeaway: If there are policies and programs in place to ensure girls are in control of their own futures, they will thrive. If not, they’re much more likely to face a lifetime of hardships.  

Ipas is working hard—every day, around the world—to ensure girls have a path that puts them in control. We invite you to learn more about our crucial work with young people on our website. 

Happy International Day of the Girl! 

- Your friends at Ipas