1. Keeping our Focus on Girls
Susan Davis
President & CEO
BRAC USA

2. Invest in Girls to Prevent Poverty
In vest in Nora to prevent more Amitha’s
Invest in girls to prevent maternal mortality
Invest in girls to prevent stunted lives

3. My Journey, Girls Journey: it’s all connected
In the village, meeting a girl the day after a wedding night
Who do you remember most when you think of child brides?
In the village, meeting a woman who had not eaten for 3 days except the water that the rice was boiled in
Who do you remember when you think of someone who is poor and hungry?

4. “I want to be…” ‘Sonia’ in Afghanistan
SoFEA: “I want to be an investigative reporter.”
“I want to be a human rights lawyer.”
“I want to be a UN peacekeeper.”
“I can’t be anything, I am married.”
Agnes – I want to go back to school. We had to drop out even some of us have been abused…
Akot Nighty – some of us were abducted…all we want is a chance
Vs Regina in Uganda, a tired grandmother

5. Listening to Girls How do we listen?
What mechanisms can we put in place in our programs to ensure we listen?
How do girls participate?
What mechanisms and strategies can we use to ensure active roles?
Beyond singing and dancing: Photo Exhibition by the ADP club girls
Notice discrimation in socks and shoes….
Why does strength become an issue? Women can do any work.
How to become a conscious father, grandfather?

6. Voices – Unpacking Youth Watch, Youth Surveys
88% Happy
77% youth believe females should play greater role in decision making in community
44% believe gender inequality will decline over next 5 years
98% want to do social work but 70% could not even name a group.
Gender gap in labor force participation (26% female; 78% male)
Gender gap in mobile phones (64% female; 81% male)
85% do NOT use internet
71% watch TV daily
Gaps b/w ideal & actual age of marriage, work, childbirth, education

7. Many Issues to Discuss: How to Create Opportunity Ladders?
Targeting?
10-14 year olds
15-18 year olds
Married girls
Girls with children
School-going girls
Working girls
Boys
Parents,
Community
More & better livelihoods
Financial education and bank accounts
Safety -stopping cycles of violence & sexual abuse
Sexual & Reproductive rights and services
Ensuring education & life long learning

8. Owning Global Campaigns
The Girl Effect
Girls, Not Brides, setting a global goal?
Child Finance – reaching 100 million in 100 countries
Nike Foundation
The Elders, becoming independent
Child Finance International

9. Final Thoughts Right to Buy Bangles Better Mother-in-Laws
Conscious Men
Shining Eyes test
“If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.” – Emma Goldman