"Child marriage, often deemed by elders to protect girls from sexual predation, promiscuity and social ostracism, in fact makes them more likely to be ignorant about health and more vulnerable to school droupout. Many adolescent girls are required to marry early; and when they become pregnant, they face a much  higher risk of maternal mortality, as their bodies are not mature enough to cope with the experience.

Working with financial institutions and girls’ programs in Kenya and Uganda, Council researchers are developing appropriate ways for adolescent girls to save money.

An adolescent girl living in poverty could be the most powerful person in the world. If she is reached early enough, she can accelerate economies, arrest major global health issues and break cycles of poverty.