Gender equity is both a basic human right and imperative for the future of our global community. The Little Sisters initiative operates in the developing world to level the playing field for girls, in hopes of creating an array of opportunities for the next generation of women. Our program aims to knock down barriers, cultivate environments of equity, and encourage all girls to be ambitious and dream big.
With 62 million girls deprived of school globally, we place an emphasis on education and factors that obstruct access. Globally, girls miss, on average, 20% of their school days due to menstruation, while some drop out of school all together when they begin their period, so we place an important focus on providing menstrual resources and sanitary incinerators. Little Sisters takes a strong stand against child marriage, which effects 1 in 3 girls in the developing world, strips girls of their childhood, and furthers the vicious sequence of cyclical poverty. We also step up against sex trafficking, sexual assault, and female genital mutilation: 80% of sex trafficking victims worldwide are girls, 75% of youth HIV-AIDS effects girls, and 50% of global sexual assault victims are girls under age 15.
It is clear that the prevailing treatment of girls in the 21st century is a violation of basic human rights. Amounting research also indicates that countries suffer immensely due to gender gaps in education and culture; global net losses of GDP accumulate to $30 billion each year, cyclical poverty persists, and child mortality rates remain high (30 million children's lives could be saved if all women had had secondary education).
Girls are powerful. Imagine what could happen if we ensured that every girl stays in school, stays safe, and stays healthy. Girls can be the force behind economic engines. Girls can be the answer to cyclical poverty. Girls can be the response to child mortality rates. Girls can lower the spread of HIV/AIDS. The possibilities and potential of girls are endless.
With a population of more than 1.2 billion and a geographic size spanning most of the South Asian subcontinent, India is the world's second most populous nation, the largest global democracy, and one of the fastest growing economies. India's long history stretches back to the ancient civilizations of the Indus River Valley, and it is the birthplace of four world religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism). Having spent two centuries under British colonial rule, India became an independent country in 1947. "Choti bahana" translates to "little sister" in Hindi, one of its 22 officially recognized languages.
The Choti Bahana chapter operates in three states: Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha. Our efforts here include educational scholarships, sanitary incinerators, school and sports equipment, and personal supplies.
Located in the Horn of Africa and home to nearly 100 million people, Ethiopia is the world's most populous landlocked nation, as as well as the second most populous country on the African continent. With an archaeological history dating back 3 million years, Ethiopia's culture is ancient. During the "Scramble for Africa," the infamous widespread European colonization of Africa, Ethiopia was the only country to defeat Western military powers and retain sovereignty. "Tinish lig" translates to "little sister" in Amharic, the country's primary working language, though up to 90 regional languages also exist.
The Tinish Lig chapter operates in and around the capital city of Addis Ababa. Our efforts here include personal supplies, particularly for daughters of day laborers that do not have sustained housing.
With a population of 15.8 million, Guatemala is the most populated state in Central America. In ancient times, Guatemala was the core of the Mayan civilization. Spanish forces conquered the country beginning in the 16th century, and Guatemala became an independent state in 1821. Today, the influences of both Spanish and indigenous peoples fuse in Guatemala to form a distinctive cultural landscape. Additionally, Guatemala is home to abundant and unique ecosystems, making it biologically significant. "Hermanita" translates to "little sister" in Spanish, the country's official language.
The Hermanita chapter has operated in and around the capital city of Guatemala City. Our efforts here have included school and personal supplies.