As the pandemic curtails girls\u2019 education by forcing them out of the classroom – a problem from which many may never recover – it is also puts them at risk for abuse and exploitation.\n

Being in a classroom protects girls from sexual predators, unhealthy relationships and abusive parents or relatives. But due to lockdowns, many girls no longer have the classroom as a safe space.<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p>

According to the global non-profit Save the Children, \u201cIn early April 2020, in an effort to halt the spread of COVID-19, an estimated 1.6 billion learners globally\u201491% of the total\u2014were out of school. For the first time in human history, an entire generation of children globally have had their education disrupted.\u201d^[5<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n

\"16 — Tania\u2019s once hard-working father was suddenly blind and unable to provide as a result of a brutal mugging and acid attack. Tania immediately dropped out of school and began working the overnight shift in a shrimp factory to support her family; while her father begged on the street. Combined, their income was still not enough to feed the family. Fortunately, peeling shrimp didn\u2019t peel away at Tania\u2019s dreams who has big plans to open her own tailoring business. To help her achieve this dream, World Vision provided her with a sewing machine, and fabric. After two months of training, Tania is now able to work at home, where she is safe and makes enough to afford food for her entire family. While she is still working, she now has more time to rest, watch television, play and\u2026 just be a normal 16 year old again! Photo by World Vision USA, Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Now, more than a year later, many children have spent more than a year out of the classroom\u2014and may never return.^[6<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n
As girls stay out of school, they risk devastating consequences to their health, well-being and future opportunities. Studies from the Ebola crisis have suggested that once girls were taken out of school due to Ebola, many didn\u2019t return, even long after schools reopened.^[7<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n
School closures pose the greatest challenge for girls in developing nations, where families may be struggling financially and communities may not have access to the technology needed for distance learning. Sometimes girls bear a greater burden in supporting the family during challenging times. They may be given extra household responsibilities, including caring for younger siblings or sick family members; this can decrease their opportunities to do schoolwork at home\u2014and their chances of returning to school when the pandemic subsides.^[8<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n
As schools in some places reopen, the pandemic\u2019s effects are starting to be seen. In Kenya, for example, only 84 percent of teen girls returned to school, while 92 percent of teen boys came back.^[9<\/a>]<\/sup> This could be just the tip of the iceberg. Malala Fund, an NGO supporting girls\u2019 education, estimates 20 million girls in developing countries will not return to the classroom.^[10<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n
As the pandemic is curtailing girls\u2019 education, it is also putting them at risk for abuse, exploitation and violence. Being in the classroom can help protect girls from sexual predators, unhealthy relationships and even abusive parents or relatives. But due to lockdowns, many girls no longer have the classroom as a safe space.^[11<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n
$\"Girls$ <\/a>
In a culture that de-emphasizes a woman\u2019s education, many girls in South Asia leave school at an early age, often due to financial reasons. It becomes their responsibility to work at home taking care of their siblings, doing household chores, fetching water, or preparing meals, which enable their parents to go searching for work.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Girls Pushed into Adult Responsibilities<\/h3>\n
$\"2.5$ Mayawati, a teenager in Nepal, wanted to continue school and study agriculture. \u201cBut her family\u2019s struggles during the pandemic made her feel guilty about being a burden to her parents,\u201d wrote Bhadra Sharma and Jeffrey Gettleman for *The New York Times<\/em>.^[12<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00a0\u201cShe dropped out of school, then married a man who worked as a menial laborer. Her dreams \u2026 have quietly slipped away.\u201d<\/p>\n*
Mayawati\u2019s story reflects that of others in Nepal and around the world.^[13<\/a>]<\/sup> Because of the pandemic, parents struggling to feed their children may feel the need to marry off their daughters to reduce the number of mouths they must feed.^[14<\/a>]<\/sup> In addition, as girls spend time out of the classroom, they may spend more time with men and more unsupervised time with boys, which increases their chances for teen pregnancy and child marriage.<\/strong>^[**15<\/a>][16<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n**
Save the Children predicts a \u201cdramatic surge in child marriage and adolescent pregnancy\u201d: Within a five-year span, 2.5 million more girls could be at risk of child marriage, and in 2020 alone teen pregnancies may have risen by up to 1 million.^[17<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n
$\"Dr.$
Dr. Flavia Bustreo is a leading physician, public health professional and advocate for the health and human rights of women, children, adolescents and the elderly. Photo by United States Mission Geneva, Flickr<\/a> (CC BY-ND 2.0<\/a>)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
This means that those girls may lose the chance to ever complete their education, which will limit their chances for jobs in the future. In addition, girls who marry young are more vulnerable to sexual abuse and violence.^[18<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00a0Child marriage and teen pregnancy also threaten girls\u2019 physical health. Girls who give birth at very young ages can face a host of complications, including miscarriage, obstetric fistula\u2014and death.^[19<\/a>][20<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n
\u201cComplications of pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death in young women aged 15\u201319,\u201d says Dr. Flavia Bustreo, a leader in the World Health Organization\u2019s Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. \u201cYoung girls who marry later and delay pregnancy beyond their adolescence have more chances to stay healthier, to better their education and build a better life for themselves and their families.\u201d^[21<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
Give to Help Girls at Risk \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n
If you want to support girls in South Asia and Africa<\/a>, consider a one-time donation to help young victims who have been delivered from desperate situations in their lives, but are still struggling everyday. Your gift will provide for their pressing needs, while we locate permanent sponsors to cover their monthly needs to remain in school.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
Read the rest of this Gospel for Asia \u2013 Transforming Communities<\/a> (GFA World) Special Report: **Young Victims Remain Hidden in Pandemic\u2019s Shadow<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014<\/em>** ***Part 2<\/a>, Part 3<\/a><\/p>\n***
\n
**About GFA World<\/strong><\/h3>\n***GFA World (<\/em>*www.gfa.org<\/em><\/a>) is a leading faith-based global mission agency, helping national workers bring vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across the world, especially in Asia and Africa, and sharing the love of God. In GFA World\u2019s latest yearly report, this included thousands of community development projects that benefit downtrodden families and their children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,800 clean water wells drilled, over 12,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 260,000 needy families, and teaching providing hope and encouragement available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. GFA World has launched programs in Africa, starting with compassion projects in Rwanda. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at\u00a0<\/em>https:\/\/gfanews.org\/news\/<\/em><\/a>*.<\/em><\/p>\n*
\n
Read more blogs on GFA World<\/a>, National Missionary Workers<\/a>, World Missions<\/a> and the COVID 19 Pandemic<\/a> on Patheos from Gospel for Asia<\/a>.<\/p>\n
GFA\u2019s Statement About Coronavirus<\/a><\/p>\n
Learn more by reading this Special Report<\/a> from Gospel for Asia on the Lord\u2019s work in 2020 through GFA<\/a> and the partnerships worldwide while following Him in His work in 16 nations, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.<\/p>\n
\n
Learn more about Gospel for Asia: Facebook<\/a> | YouTube<\/a> | Instagram<\/a> | LinkedIn<\/a> | SourceWatch<\/a> | Integrity<\/a> | Lawsuit Update<\/a> | 5 Distinctives<\/a> | 6 Remarkable Facts<\/a> | 10 Milestones<\/a> | Media Room<\/a> | Widows & Coronavirus<\/a> | Endorsements<\/a> | 40th Anniversary<\/a> | Lawsuit Response<\/a> | International Offices<\/a> | Missionary and Child Sponsorship<\/a> | Transforming Communities through God\u2019s Love<\/a><\/p>\n
Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews<\/a>, ChristianPost<\/a>, NYPost<\/a>, MissionsBox<\/a><\/p>\n
Read what 25 Christian Leaders are affirming<\/a> about GFA World.<\/p>\n
This gfa.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Tania\u2019s once hard-working father was suddenly blind and unable to provide as a result of a brutal mugging and acid attack. Tania immediately dropped out of school and began working the overnight shift in a shrimp factory to support her family; while her father begged on the street. Combined, their income was still not enough to feed the family. Fortunately, peeling shrimp didn\u2019t peel away at Tania\u2019s dreams who has big plans to open her own tailoring business. To help her achieve this dream, World Vision provided her with a sewing machine, and fabric. After two months of training, Tania is now able to work at home, where she is safe and makes enough to afford food for her entire family. While she is still working, she now has more time to rest, watch television, play and\u2026 just be a normal 16 year old again! Photo by World Vision USA, Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Now, more than a year later, many children have spent more than a year out of the classroom\u2014and may never return.^[6<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n
As girls stay out of school, they risk devastating consequences to their health, well-being and future opportunities. Studies from the Ebola crisis have suggested that once girls were taken out of school due to Ebola, many didn\u2019t return, even long after schools reopened.^[7<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n
School closures pose the greatest challenge for girls in developing nations, where families may be struggling financially and communities may not have access to the technology needed for distance learning. Sometimes girls bear a greater burden in supporting the family during challenging times. They may be given extra household responsibilities, including caring for younger siblings or sick family members; this can decrease their opportunities to do schoolwork at home\u2014and their chances of returning to school when the pandemic subsides.^[8<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n
As schools in some places reopen, the pandemic\u2019s effects are starting to be seen. In Kenya, for example, only 84 percent of teen girls returned to school, while 92 percent of teen boys came back.^[9<\/a>]<\/sup> This could be just the tip of the iceberg. Malala Fund, an NGO supporting girls\u2019 education, estimates 20 million girls in developing countries will not return to the classroom.^[10<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n
As the pandemic is curtailing girls\u2019 education, it is also putting them at risk for abuse, exploitation and violence. Being in the classroom can help protect girls from sexual predators, unhealthy relationships and even abusive parents or relatives. But due to lockdowns, many girls no longer have the classroom as a safe space.^[11<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n
$\"Girls$ <\/a>
In a culture that de-emphasizes a woman\u2019s education, many girls in South Asia leave school at an early age, often due to financial reasons. It becomes their responsibility to work at home taking care of their siblings, doing household chores, fetching water, or preparing meals, which enable their parents to go searching for work.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Girls Pushed into Adult Responsibilities<\/h3>\n
$\"2.5$ Mayawati, a teenager in Nepal, wanted to continue school and study agriculture. \u201cBut her family\u2019s struggles during the pandemic made her feel guilty about being a burden to her parents,\u201d wrote Bhadra Sharma and Jeffrey Gettleman for *The New York Times<\/em>.^[12<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00a0\u201cShe dropped out of school, then married a man who worked as a menial laborer. Her dreams \u2026 have quietly slipped away.\u201d<\/p>\n*
Mayawati\u2019s story reflects that of others in Nepal and around the world.^[13<\/a>]<\/sup> Because of the pandemic, parents struggling to feed their children may feel the need to marry off their daughters to reduce the number of mouths they must feed.^[14<\/a>]<\/sup> In addition, as girls spend time out of the classroom, they may spend more time with men and more unsupervised time with boys, which increases their chances for teen pregnancy and child marriage.<\/strong>^[**15<\/a>][16<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n**
Save the Children predicts a \u201cdramatic surge in child marriage and adolescent pregnancy\u201d: Within a five-year span, 2.5 million more girls could be at risk of child marriage, and in 2020 alone teen pregnancies may have risen by up to 1 million.^[17<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n
$\"Dr.$
Dr. Flavia Bustreo is a leading physician, public health professional and advocate for the health and human rights of women, children, adolescents and the elderly. Photo by United States Mission Geneva, Flickr<\/a> (CC BY-ND 2.0<\/a>)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
This means that those girls may lose the chance to ever complete their education, which will limit their chances for jobs in the future. In addition, girls who marry young are more vulnerable to sexual abuse and violence.^[18<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00a0Child marriage and teen pregnancy also threaten girls\u2019 physical health. Girls who give birth at very young ages can face a host of complications, including miscarriage, obstetric fistula\u2014and death.^[19<\/a>][20<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n
\u201cComplications of pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death in young women aged 15\u201319,\u201d says Dr. Flavia Bustreo, a leader in the World Health Organization\u2019s Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. \u201cYoung girls who marry later and delay pregnancy beyond their adolescence have more chances to stay healthier, to better their education and build a better life for themselves and their families.\u201d^[21<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
Give to Help Girls at Risk \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n
If you want to support girls in South Asia and Africa<\/a>, consider a one-time donation to help young victims who have been delivered from desperate situations in their lives, but are still struggling everyday. Your gift will provide for their pressing needs, while we locate permanent sponsors to cover their monthly needs to remain in school.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
Read the rest of this Gospel for Asia \u2013 Transforming Communities<\/a> (GFA World) Special Report: **Young Victims Remain Hidden in Pandemic\u2019s Shadow<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014<\/em>** ***Part 2<\/a>, Part 3<\/a><\/p>\n***
\n
**About GFA World<\/strong><\/h3>\n***GFA World (<\/em>*www.gfa.org<\/em><\/a>) is a leading faith-based global mission agency, helping national workers bring vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across the world, especially in Asia and Africa, and sharing the love of God. In GFA World\u2019s latest yearly report, this included thousands of community development projects that benefit downtrodden families and their children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,800 clean water wells drilled, over 12,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 260,000 needy families, and teaching providing hope and encouragement available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. GFA World has launched programs in Africa, starting with compassion projects in Rwanda. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at\u00a0<\/em>https:\/\/gfanews.org\/news\/<\/em><\/a>*.<\/em><\/p>\n*
\n
Read more blogs on GFA World<\/a>, National Missionary Workers<\/a>, World Missions<\/a> and the COVID 19 Pandemic<\/a> on Patheos from Gospel for Asia<\/a>.<\/p>\n
GFA\u2019s Statement About Coronavirus<\/a><\/p>\n
Learn more by reading this Special Report<\/a> from Gospel for Asia on the Lord\u2019s work in 2020 through GFA<\/a> and the partnerships worldwide while following Him in His work in 16 nations, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.<\/p>\n
\n
Learn more about Gospel for Asia: Facebook<\/a> | YouTube<\/a> | Instagram<\/a> | LinkedIn<\/a> | SourceWatch<\/a> | Integrity<\/a> | Lawsuit Update<\/a> | 5 Distinctives<\/a> | 6 Remarkable Facts<\/a> | 10 Milestones<\/a> | Media Room<\/a> | Widows & Coronavirus<\/a> | Endorsements<\/a> | 40th Anniversary<\/a> | Lawsuit Response<\/a> | International Offices<\/a> | Missionary and Child Sponsorship<\/a> | Transforming Communities through God\u2019s Love<\/a><\/p>\n
Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews<\/a>, ChristianPost<\/a>, NYPost<\/a>, MissionsBox<\/a><\/p>\n
Read what 25 Christian Leaders are affirming<\/a> about GFA World.<\/p>\n
This gfa.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n