In humanitarian emergencies, girls embody strength, perseverance, and resilience. But when crisis strikes, girls are disproportionately affected and face a heightened risk of violence and abuse — sexual violence as a weapon of war, exploitation and harassment as refugees, domestic violence and abuse, and child marriage in the upheaval of displacement.
These issues are a matter of life and death, and greatly impact a girl’s ability to get an education and participate in leadership to address these issues in her own community. It doesn’t have to be this way. When a girl is empowered and can inform the solutions to women and girls’ needs in emergencies, she can help create a more stable and just world.
The Safe from the Start Act would strengthen U.S. leadership and empower girls in the fight against gender-based violence in emergencies. Congress has the power to protect girls in emergencies, but they won’t fight for girls unless they hear from you.