Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Girl Up Helps Change Lives

By Connie Sears


Every girl in every country around the world deserves the same rights and opportunities as any other. This forms the key message of the Girl Up organization. Through their actions and informational campaigns, they aim to not only raise awareness of the plight of young people in developing countries, but to improve their situations as much as possible through direct fund raising initiatives.

Girl Up is run by the United Nations Foundation, and connects American teenagers with their counterparts in less economically stable areas of the world. One of the easiest ways that people can get involved is by donating five dollars or more. This money, known as a "high five," can go toward many things that girls in these areas might need.

Education is one very important area that is often overlooked in developing areas. Young people may find it difficult to continue with their studies if they are in a situation where they feel they must work to support their families rather than stay in school. For many reasons, it is crucial for girls to be educated, so Girl Up aims to make sure that they do.

Aiding in bringing proper heath care to girls in these situations is crucial. Their access is already limited, but they are also at high risk for early pregnancies, which can be life-threatening if not tended to properly. Not only is their quality of life improved by having access to medical care, their lives may actually be saved.

Tragically, young girls are at very high risk in many of these locations for abuse from those around them. This can leave lasting impacts on them for life, both physical and psychological, and can even result in death in worst-case scenarios. One of the most important things that Girl Up focuses on is helping to reduce that threat as much as possible by taking them out of dangerous situations and by educating them on ways to resist and avoid this type of violence as much as possible.

Social media is one of the most effective ways for messages like this to be spread, and this organization is very active in doing so. They may be found through Facebook and Twitter, as well as through their website. Anyone who wishes to get involved can easily do so by going through one of these channels to find out how they can immediately begin making a difference.

Anyone who wishes can also take the initiative to set up an individual chapter. Kits on how to get started are available through the website, and they offer constant support whenever it is needed. Schools may sponsor these clubs, or they may be convened on an independent basis, but however they are formed, they are all welcomed.

Sometimes it can feel like the small things we do are not making a difference, but when they are all added up, they definitely do. Girl Up and those like them make sure that everyone who wants to contribute can do so, even in a small way. Together, the impact can be dramatic, and felt by many girls.




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