More than 60 million girls worldwide of primary and secondary schooling age are not in school.  For girls ages 15-19, the second most common cause of death is complication from pregnancy and childbirth.  Fifty percent of all sexual assaults are against girls aged 15 years or younger worldwide.  These statistics, from girlup.org, stand out in sophomore and club founder Meg Schwartz’s mind.  But with new white week club, Girl Up, Schwartz can focus on and attack these problems first hand.

Girl Up is a campaign for the United Nations Foundation which raises money for girls in five target countries: Liberia, Malawi, Ethiopia, India and Guatemala.  The money helps the girls buy hygiene products, helps set up doctors appointments and helps buy them solar lamps to provide a light source so they can do their homework.

Counselor and club sponsor Erika Ellwanger stresses the importance of global awareness of issues like this in order to make a difference and take a stand. Understanding these issues and standing up for these girls is exactly what Schwartz and her sister, senior and club treasurer Ellie Schwartz want students to help with.

“I’ve just been born into such a fortunate situation and I feel like I have all the things that these girls don’t have and I feel like I take them for granted,” Meg said.  “I feel like since I have those things I should be able to go do what I can to help girls who don’t.” 

Taking one step towards combating these injustices is just what Meg and Ellie did this summer. The two sisters went to the annual Girl Up Summit in Washington DC where they took workshops regarding advocacy, leadership, education, and fundraising.  Understanding more about the problems young girls face all over the world and learning how to take a stand even led them to Capitol Hill. They heard from powerful women speakers such as influential CEOs and members of the United Nation’s International Children’s Emergency Fund. First Lady Michelle Obama even made an appearance.

“[Girls in the target countries] have the same dreams. They’re just so similar to us and they are just not given the chance, and I think they should be. They deserve to have an equal shot,” Meg said.

Every other week the 33 club members will be discussing and learning about current issues regarding girls in the target countries, working on advocacy, planning fundraisers, and more.

“I really want it to become a community and something that people look forward to coming to and that people become as passionate about it as I am,” Meg  said.

With a commitment and passion to help these girls in need and truly make a difference in their lives, Girl Up will do that, one white week at a time.