According to the UN, “There are 1.1 billion girls today, a powerful constituency for shaping a sustainable world that’s better for everyone. They are brimming with talent and creativity. But their dreams and potential are often thwarted by discrimination, violence and lack of equal opportunities. There are glaring gaps in data and knowledge about the specific needs and challenges that girls face.” This year the theme is “Girls’ Progress = Goals’ Progress, A Global Girl Data Movement.”  With this call to action, a collection of data will provide critical information which allows for analysis on how to address the issues which hold girls back from fulfilling their goals. Child marriage may be the ultimate factor leading to the reduced use of a girls’, and subsequently, a woman’s talents.  Every time a child girl is married, it typically leads to them dropping out of school thus ending their formal education, and reduces their power and ability to make life choices for themselves.  Not only does this affect the girl, but her future children and the decisions she makes concerning her family’s health and food choices.  Often times these girls end up in horrific human right’s abuse situations as well. There is a lot of information floating around the internet today, so please join me in learning more how we can create a brighter future for humanity.  After all, like a rising tide raises all ships, so does empowering and educating girls so that they can continue to make big, positive and enduring choices for their good and the good of their family and community. You can read more about my photo project in Thailand working with an NGO dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating girls from sex-trafficking. Resources for additional information: United Nations Women:  http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/girl-child Girls Not Brides:  http://www.girlsnotbrides.org/ Ripple Effect Images:  http://rippleeffectimages.org/