Empowering girls to face a future filled with possibilities
It is time to listen to girls, to invest in proven solutions that will accelerate progress towards a future in which every girl can fulfil her potential.
Girls' Visions for the Future
Equal opportunities to participate and thrive
"I hope to improve the lives of girls in my community by raising awareness and knowledge about life skills and vocational skills. I aim to ensure that girls are included in all activities and have equal opportunities to participate and thrive."
Recognition and celebration of their unique strengths
"Sports fuel my confidence, but we are evaluated solely based on our academic performances. I wish teachers would see the incredible strengths we all possess beyond the classroom. Each girl has her own interests and abilities that deserve recognition and celebration."
Girls rising above challenges
"If you encounter challenges, never give up because everyone experiences problems. Girls face many obstacles in life, but as a girl, I truly believe we can overcome them."
Continuous education for every child
"We can create community learning centres and peer groups so that everyone has a chance to continue their education in different ways. This can inspire young people who have dropped out of school to keep learning and working towards a brighter future."
Unwavering pride in who we are
"As a child representative, I share what I have learned with other girls, encouraging them to be proud of who they are. Whether in my community or at school, I strive to support and uplift girls who feel discouraged or uncomfortable simply because they are girls."
Girls taking initiative to create change
"I and other youth leaders initiated a project to collect used plastic bottles for sale. The income from recycling plastic bottles finance various school activities while also contributing to reducing waste and addressing environmental problems."
Confidence to grow strong and capable
"I hope to build confidence and develop life skills for girls in my community. I want to be a source of encouragement and help promote essential life skills. I want to help instill confidence in every girl so they can grow into strong and capable women."
Safe space to speak up and be heard
"Being listened to and having conversations gives us courage and confidence. When I enter high school, I will become someone who protects and encourages the younger students at my school."
Confidence to seize opportunities
"I once was afraid of speaking in front of others. But I’ve realised that the biggest fear is not being able to seize the opportunities. I encourage everyone to challenge themselves and not be afraid to share their stories."
The Challenges Girls Are Facing
- The proportion of the population living below the international poverty line varies significantly across the region. Laos has the highest proportion at 17%. Although Cambodia shows low poverty rates, the high rate of severe food insecurity (15%) suggests many households remain vulnerable. Women and girls disproportionately bear the brunt of poverty and food insecurity. In households below the poverty line, they face greater disadvantages in accessing resources such as food, nutrition, education, employment, land, and credit.
- Girls and women are more likely than boys and men to lack opportunities for employment, education, or training during adolescence and early adulthood. This gender gap is likely due to traditional gender roles that assign unpaid domestic and care work to women, while men engage in paid work.
- There is substantial gender inequality in the safety of environments where children grow up. Girls have limited mobility and are more likely than boys to be confined to the home, engaging in domestic labour such as collecting water. The gender disparity in water fetching is most severe in Lao PDR, where women and girls are four to five times more likely to collect water than men and boys. This reflects entrenched gender roles that allocate unpaid domestic and childcare work to women and girls.
(UNICEF. Gender Counts: East and Southeast Asia. 2019.)
Empowering Girls’ Futures in East Asia
Breaking the cycle of poverty
Many girls envision a future free from lack of opportunities, where they can support their families and improve the lives of future generations.
Building resilient communities
Girls see themselves as agents of change in the fight against climate change, advocating for green jobs, environmental education, and sustainable solutions.
Vision for equal participation
Girls envision themselves as future leaders, contributing to the workforce, decision-making processes, and their communities. When girls lead, communities thrive.
Confidence & Courage in Action
Stories of compassionate, courageous young female leaders with big dreams to make the world a better place, and the confidence and commitment to make them a reality.
Yaru, a community advocate and youth leader, is committed to combating child abuse and raising awareness about its impacts in Phnom Prek district, Battambang province. She actively participates as a Youth Club leader in her community, focusing on eradicating violence against children and promoting youth participation. In recognition of her commitment, Yaru was invited to speak at the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights in New York in May 2023 to share the impact of her action on her community.
Di’s story is evidence of the impact that World Vision’s Child Sponsorship Programme brings about to break the cycle of poverty, providing a better and brighter path for a child’s future. Her story perfectly encapsulates our vision for the world – that every child can have life in all its fullness. When you sponsor a child and help provide the necessities that they deserve, you are helping communities as a whole to develop. Because for every child you help, four more benefit, too.
In December 2023, Nomin, a sponsored child and child leader with World Vision in Mongolia, participated in COP28. There she had the opportunity to be part of a global community of passionate, young climate activists, as well as global leaders and decision-makers in the COP28 dialogues.
