One of the most influential figures in the world today isn’t a world leader or prime minister or president, it’s an adolescent girl.

 Worldwide, there are 600 million girls growing up in developing countries, which reflect the largest generation of youth in history. The choices this generation of young women makes will shape their lives and a whole new generation of boys and girls. 

While girls in the United States are more educated, socially connected, and empowered than ever before, many girls in developing countries still struggle for the opportunity to go to school, see a doctor, or be included in their communities.

Investing in an educated, healthy, skilled, and empowered girl today means she will have the tools to reinvest back into her family, her community, and our world.  We must give girls the opportunity to become educated, healthy, safe, counted, and positioned to be the next generation of leaders.

We know that we can’t improve the lives of girls alone.  With your help, United Nations Foundation campaigns like Girl Up  link people, capital, and ideas with the UN to help improve the lives of adolescent girls globally. From access to education and health care, to freedom from violence and HIV/AIDS, to delaying child marriage and early pregnancy, we work with the UN and non-governmental organization communities to tackle the complex issues and challenges that girls face today.

We believe that adolescent girls are critical to meeting the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The well-being of adolescent girls is the key to eliminating poverty, achieving social justice, stabilizing the population, and preventing foreseeable humanitarian crises.

Stand up and support investments in adolescent girls by taking action today.