PAI Statement on Release of U.S. Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls

Statement from Jonathan Rucks, Director of Advocacy

This morning, Secretary Kerry announced the launch of the U.S. Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls, which will unite the State Department (including PEPFAR), USAID, Peace Corps, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation in a strategic response to challenges that adolescent girls face around the world.

The strategy emphasizes the rights of girls, including their right to quality education in safe environments, and aims to prevent and address child, early and forced marriage, gender-based violence, and female genital mutilation (FGM) and their consequences. It also critically recognizes the important role girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights plays in their empowerment and the need to address the barriers that limit their ability to exercise these rights and access comprehensive, quality health information and services.

“PAI applauds this commitment to advancing the health, safety, and prosperity of young women and girls as a strategic U.S. foreign policy priority,” said PAI’s Director of Advocacy Jonathan Rucks.

“We have shown that we can help girls and women succeed by upholding their rights and championing policies that put them in charge of their reproductive health. We are energized by the coordinated effort to empower girls and increase awareness of their rights—a critical first step toward self-determination and opportunity.”

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PAI champions policies that put women in charge of their reproductive health. We work with policymakers in Washington and our network of partners in developing countries to remove roadblocks between women and the services and supplies they need. For over 50 years, we’ve helped women succeed by upholding their basic rights. To learn more, visit pai.org.