HR362: HR362 Girls Empowerment Day; February 20, 2025; recognize

25 LC 112 3080 House Resolution 362 By: Representative Mitchell of the 88th A RESOLUTION Recognizing February 20, 2025, as Girls Empowerment Day; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, Trinity Girls Network, founded in July 2016 by Outstanding Georgia Citizen2 Award winner Dr. Jacqueline Mohair, persistently works toward the empowerment of girls3 and young women through a three-pronged approach: ending violen ce against girls and4 women, preparing girls for success, and providing opportunities through education; and5 WHEREAS, Trinity Girls Network extends its impact internationally, including through its6 efforts in Zambia, where it provides critical support such as food, clothing, and toys to girls7 in need, furthering its mission to empower and uplift; and8 WHEREAS, Trinity Girls Network operates as a non-governmental o rganization with9 consultative status under the United Nations Economic and Socia l Council, allowing it to10 advocate for the rights and empowerment of women and girls on a global stage and aligning11 its work with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals; and12 WHEREAS, globally, 65 million girls and young women are not in school, 31 million girls13 of primary school age are not in school, and 33 million fewer girls than boys attend primary14 school, with 17 million of these girls never expected to attend school in their lifetimes; and15 H. R. 362 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3080 WHEREAS, over 120 million young people between the ages of 15 and 24 cannot read or16 write, with 61 percent of this group being women; and17 WHEREAS, half of the children who are not in school live in conflict-ridden areas, and girls18 make up 55 percent of this total; and19 WHEREAS, nearly 70 million children worldwide lack access to basic education, and more20 than half are girls, with evidence showing that educating a girl can break a cycle of poverty21 in just one generation; and22 WHEREAS, girls who receive an education marry later, have fewer children, earn higher23 wages, and support healthier and more prosperous families, unde rscoring that the24 empowerment of and investment in girls are key factors in break ing the cycle of25 discrimination and violence, as well as promoting and protecting their full human rights; and26 WHEREAS, girls with an extra year of education can earn 20 percent more as an adult, and27 a child born to a mother who can read and write is 50 percent more likely to survive past the28 age of five; moreover, educated mothers are more than twice as likely to send their children29 to school; and30 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia is blessed with hundreds of gifted girls and young women31 whose full potential has yet to be fostered and developed; and32 WHEREAS, education is the key to the empowerment of this state's girls and young women,33 fostering the development of their minds and academic and leade rship skills as well as34 playing a vital role in shaping tomorrow's leaders; and35 H. R. 362 - 2 - 25 LC 112 3080 WHEREAS, the dynamic collaboration of Trinity Girls Network, Th e Dr. Pat Houston36 Performing Arts Academy, The Organization of World Leaders, and The Whitney Houston37 Foundation converges annually at the Georgia State Capitol, serving as a powerful catalyst38 to empower the lives of young ladies and creating a transformat ive event that resonates39 across the state and beyond.40 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that41 the members of this body recognize February 20, 2025, as Girls Empowerment Day to42 celebrate the accomplishments and potential of girls and young women and to encourage43 continued efforts to invest in their futures through education and empowerment.44 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body express their deepest gratitude45 to Trinity Girls Network and its partners, including its Zambia initiative and its consultative46 efforts with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, fo r their unwavering47 dedication to uplifting and transforming the lives of girls and young women both locally and48 globally.49 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized50 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the51 public and the press.52 H. R. 362 - 3 -