Nearly two-thirds of the 72 million out-of-school children in the world are girls. They are counting on us to help them reach their full potential. One bill in Congress today that can help is the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2009.
Forcing a child into marriage diminishes her chances at education, endangers her health and cuts short her personal growth and development. Maternal health risks are particularly troubling as the risk of death in pregnancy and delivery for girls under the age of 15 is five times higher than for women in their 20s.
The United States can use its leadership to prevent child marriage. As your constituent, I'm asking you to help by co-sponsoring the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2009 and supporting the act when it comes to a vote.
Faces of CARE
Read these stories from the field bring to life CARE's empowering education work with women and girls:
In 2006, CARE opened the first school in the remote desert village of Monobindo, Mali.
Hear the children recite their school song:
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Girls truly have the power to change the world, and girls'
