20 AUTHOR PERSPECTIVES
Girls Leading: From Rural Economies to Global Solutions
Girls Leading: From Rural Economies to Global Solutions brings together 20 authors to share their perspectives on rural girls and their potential to break the cycle of poverty and hunger and contribute to growth and development for their families, communities, nations, and the world. As the following 20 essays make clear, the future depends on rural girls’ inclusion and empowerment. The essays encompass a myriad of voices and experiences, with authors coming from legal, academic, NGO, multilateral, diplomatic, private-sector, medical, and technology backgrounds. The authors draw on their research and firsthand experiences to highlight the needs of rural girls and solutions to the challenges they face. The experiences of rural girls are highlighted throughout. Collectively, these essays make a compelling case for greater attention and action to support rural girls across goals and sectors.
Economy
By Sir Fazle Hasan Abed
Founder & Chairman, BRAC
Climate policy
By Anoka Primrose Abeyrathne
Asia-Pacific Representative, UN Habitat Youth Advisory Board, Women Deliver Young Leader
Men and boys
By Gary Barker
President & CEO, Promundo
School meals
By Ambassador Delphine Borione
Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations organizations in Rome
Violence
By Bárbara Jéssica Da Silva Paes
Founder of Minas Program, Women Deliver Young Leader
Climate change
By Shenggen Fan
Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute
Entrepreneurship
By Willy Foote
Founder & CEO, Root Capital
Resources
By Renée Giovarelli
Senior Attorney & Advisor, Resource Equity
Peace and security
By Valerie Hudson
Professor & George H.W. Bush Chair in the Dept. of International Affairs, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University
Dreams
By Purity Kagwiria
Executive Director, Akili Dada
Smallholder farmers
By Agnes Kalibata
President, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
Agribusiness
By Leah Lamon
Communications Director, Land O’Lakes
Technology
By Roya Mahboob
President, Afghan Citadel Software Company and CEO, Digital Citizen Fund
Trafficking
By Dr. Alaa Murabit
MD, High-Level Commissioner, SDG Global Advocate, United Nations
Leadership
By Alyse Nelson
President & CEO, Vital Voices Global Partnership
Education
By Dr. Namanga Ngongi
Former President, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
Science
By Dr. Esther Ngumbi
Distinguished Post-Doctoral Researcher, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Sisters
By Deneka Thomas
Project Manager, Girl Be Heard Trinidad and Tobago, Women Deliver Young Leader
Water
By Michael Tiboris
Fellow, Global Water, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Employment
By Joachim von Braun
Director, Center for Development Research (ZEF), Bonn University
GIRLS STORIES
In their words
How three Senegalese girls overcame significant obstacles to stay in school.