Take action to prioritize girls’ education: sign the petition to keep girls in school. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌







Dear friend,

Even as we rush to meet critical needs in crisis zones like Ukraine and the Horn of Africa, Mercy Corps remains determined to support long-term solutions for more resilient futures in 40+ countries worldwide. Central to this mission is making sure new generations have the opportunity to be agents of change for themselves and their communities.

Right now, as students in the U.S. and places around the world wrap up another school year, I am reminded of the extraordinary power of education to create new possibilities for young people everywhere — particularly for girls and young women. When connected to opportunities and resources, girls and young women can break generations-long cycles of poverty and inequality.

Nepal: From self-defense to self-determination

In Nepal, Mercy Corps is helping to improve girls’ educational outcomes through providing supplementary classes in math, science, and languages, plus post-education preparation for careers and financial skills. In order to help girls improve their own self-confidence and awareness, we’ve also included training in verbal and physical self-defense.

Monica and Kusum took a five-day self-defense course offered by a local organization in partnership with Mercy Corps, and were inspired to share what they learned to help even more girls in Nepal.
Safa in her bakery Safa's cinnamon buns
Left: Monica Sode (19, left) and Kusum BC (right, 22) stand back to back in the streets of Dhangadhi, where they grew up. Right: Students of self-defense classes offered by Mercy Corps with local partners in Nepal.
     
"I want to ensure that young girls get a quality education with freedom, and I also want to create an environment where young girls are safe within and outside their families."
 
KUSUM BC, NEPAL
 
The self-defense classes are part of a larger effort by Mercy Corps working with local organizations, schools, and government to create safeguarding policies. Boys and parents took part in discussions about gender-based violence, and how they could be a part of the solution. These programs have a compounding effect on entire communities.

Read more about this inspiring program ▸

Somalia: Students persevere amid extreme crisis

When families are in crisis, keeping children in school and on track to succeed is a challenge. Girls are particularly at risk, often sacrificing their education, health, and independence during times of severe drought and food insecurity.
Girls study in front of their Mogadishu school in a camp for internally displaced families. Mercy Corps provides water and sanitation infrastructure plus transportation for students to ensure they can safely access education.
In Somalia, where people have been displaced from their homes due to the food emergency caused by severe drought and related conflict, Mercy Corps is leading a series of school rehabilitations as a fundamental step toward rebuilding lives and livelihoods. These provide safety, security, sanitation, and a sense of normalcy that girls might not have at home.

Read more about how severe drought in Somalia and the entire Horn of Africa region is affecting families and especially women and girls ▸

Building a brighter future for girls around the world

When girls can take full advantage of their education and take greater control of their own futures, they will benefit for generations to come. Mercy Corps is working to ensure women and girls can build brighter futures in the classroom and in their communities.

Thank you for working alongside us,

Sahar Alnouri Sahar Alnouri
Senior Director, Gender Equity and Social Inclusion

A Mercy Corps team member since 2007, Sahar believes that creating space for diverse leaders is key to solving the world’s problems. She is passionate about helping to raise the voices of those who are challenging inequality in their own communities.


PS — There’s a meaningful way you can support girls’ education right now. A bipartisan group in Congress has introduced the Keeping Girls in School Act, which would address the barriers girls around the globe face in accessing quality secondary education. Tell your member of Congress to support and co-sponsor the Keeping the Girls in School Act so that no girl is left behind. Thank you!
Sign the petition ▸