Empowerment: Egypt
Because I am a girl…
I have the right to marry when I'm ready.
Safe Future for Girls
In rural parts of Egypt, girls are subject to different harmful practices and traditions including being pulled out of school within the context of gender-based violence and discrimination. A field study conducted in Plan areas in 2005 revealed that 20.7% of women were married before the age of 15.
Early or forced marriage is considered the main barrier to achieving universal primary education and promoting gender equality for girls and boys in rural communities. Gender inequity often leads to girls lacking necessary life skills and the power of negotiation. As a result, while most boys have a say in when and who they marry, as well as what they do once married, girls are denied the opportunities to make these same decisions.
Without the power to negotiate their position in a marriage, girls are more vulnerable to gender-based violence inside and outside the home.
With your support, Plan's program in Egypt will:
- Reduce the social pressure that motivates families to practice early marriage by promoting attitude and behavior change among men and women, and community members
- Provide educational opportunities for out-of-school girls and increase the number of girls completing primary school, as well as improve the quality of girls’ education
- Build girls’ leadership skills through empowerment and economic self-sufficiency
- Increase the capacity of community leaders and organizations to design, implement, and support local advocacy and awareness activities that promote and protect girls’ rights
Support the Safe Future for Girls Projectby donating today.
Learn how you can get involved.
Read the latest project update.
Find project updates from the field at the Because I am a Girl Blog.
