International Day of the Girl

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.

In honor of International Day of the Girl which was on October 11, we need 5,000 letters to Representatives in Congress to build bipartisan support for the Safe from the Start Act – send your letter today! Women and girls fleeing emergencies risk rape, violence, and exploitation on the road to safety. The Safe from the Start Act (H.R. 4092) works to address gender-based violence at the onset of humanitarian emergencies so that we can prevent it or address its impacts early.

Sign the petition on care.org