[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





             RECOGNIZING THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL

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                           HON. STEVE CHABOT

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 9, 2018

  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize October 11 as the 
International Day of the Girl, which falls this upcoming Thursday. The 
International Day of the Girl is a day to draw attention to, and seek 
solutions for, the challenges that confront girls throughout the world.
  This year's theme for the International Day of the Girl centers on 
educating girls for today's and tomorrow's economy. That is why I wish 
to highlight the Protecting Girls' Access to Education Act, legislation 
that I introduced last year with Congresswoman Robin Kelly, which seeks 
to better ensure that the educational needs of displaced girls are 
considered in the design, implementation, and evaluation of our foreign 
assistance. This legislation is vitally important since, according to 
the UN High Commission on Refugees, there are approximately 65 million 
forcibly displaced people worldwide and half are under the age of 18. 
Prolonged periods away from home result in low school enrollment rates 
for displaced children, which leaves girls vulnerable to early 
marriage, human trafficking, and child labor. With these urgent needs 
in mind, I urge the Senate to swiftly pass the Protecting Girls' Access 
to Education Act.
  The International Day of the Girl is a day to work towards ensuring 
that girls around the globe have access to safe, quality education. As 
this year's theme reminds us, girls have better opportunities when they 
have access to quality education and a safe environment in which to 
learn.

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