U.S. Rep. Susan W. Brooks (R-IN) on April 9 joined a bipartisan, bicameral effort to support empowerment, economic security and educational opportunities for adolescent girls around the world.
“When girls stay in school their communities are healthier, safer and more prosperous,” Rep. Brooks said. “In order to cultivate a thriving future for our world, girls’ education and development must be a top priority.”
Rep. Brooks is the lead original cosponsor of the Keeping Girls in School Act, H.R. 2153, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL). Among the nine original cosponsors joining Rep. Brooks in supporting the bill are U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY).
The goal of H.R. 2153, according to the lawmakers, is to highlight and defuse the systemic barriers that keep girls from accessing secondary education, including unsafe travel to and from school, child marriage, religious or ethnic discrimination, and female genital mutilation.
“When we stand up for women and girls, we help empower them to raise their voices, grasp opportunities and reach new heights,” said Rep. Brooks. “I am proud the Keeping Girls in School Act works to support the economic and educational empowerment of girls around the world while breaking down the barriers that keep girls out of the classroom.”
If enacted, H.R. 2153 would summarize a list of 14 barriers faced by girls entering and remaining in secondary education institutions.
Additionally, H.R. 2153 would authorize a budget-neutral funding mechanism whereby the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) would be directed to enter into financing and/or traditional grant project proposals with, for example, public-private partnerships and development impact bonds, to reduce such barriers, according to Rep. Brooks’ statement.
H.R. 2153 also would require that the U.S. Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls be reviewed and updated every five years, her statement said.
A companion bill, the same-named S. 1071, also was introduced on April 9 by U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).