Let’s Brighten the World for Girls

October 11 is International Day of the Girl. Let’s work to brighten the world for girls today and every day!

The theme for 2012 (the first-ever observance of International Day of the Girl) was ending child marriage. That’s a shocking and important issue, but that’s not all this day is about. It’s about rights, opportunities, and dreams for girls everywhere.

There are so many ways to improve conditions for girls, and fortunately, there are some wonderful organizations you can work through to help improve conditions for girls. Here are just a few ideas.

Sponsor a Girl

Compassion International is a Christian organization with a cause that means a lot to my family. We’ve sponsored three girls (from Indonesia, Bolivia, and Nicaragua) since they were 5 years old. Two of them are now 14. We’ve been awed to read our sponsored girls’ letters and hear about the opportunities they’ve had because of the program. If you feel drawn to support a program like CARE or Compassion International, you’ll truly make a difference in one or more children’s lives. If you feel drawn to sponsor girls, you’ll be amazed at the difference a few dollars each month can make in their lives and possibilities for the future. (Sponsor a girl through Compassion.)

Plan International has raised awareness about girls’ issues in a number of ways. You can also sponsor a girl through Plan International.

Support the Rights of Girls

International Day of the Girl | UNICEF

Help Girls Have Healthy Body Images

I’m so thankful for all the opportunities my daughter has had to fulfill her dreams, and I’d love to see all girls have similar opportunities to be loved and encouraged. But even girls who’ve had numerous opportunities still need help with basic issues such as having healthy body images. I’ve been focusing on that topic a lot lately. Here are my posts on the topic of helping girls have healthy body images:

• “Help Our Daughters Have Healthy Body Images

• “Top 5 Tips for Raising Kids with Good Self Esteem”

• ”Help Our Daughters Have Healthy Body Images: The Saga Continues”

• “Helping Our Children Have Healthy Body Images”

Please hold your daughter extra close today and let her know she’s beautiful not for how she looks but for who she is. And let’s work to help girls everywhere feel beautiful, strong, happy, and hopeful.

“Happy Girls Are the Prettiest Girls” Word Art Freebie (without watermark)

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