News outlets discuss the Obama administration’s launch of the Let Girls Learn initiative to assist girls worldwide in attending and completing school.

Associated Press: Obama announces new education effort to ‘let girls learn’
“Saying every girl ‘has value,’ President Barack Obama announced a more focused government effort Tuesday to help tens of millions of girls around the world attend and stay in school. Michelle Obama said she’s heading to Japan and Cambodia later this month to promote it…” (Superville, 3/3).

Devex: Let Girls Learn: Obamas focus new initiative on empowering adolescents
“The Peace Corps will train its current and future volunteers as well as thousands of community leaders to become champions of girls’ education and empowerment around the globe, as part of an integrated, global initiative that U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are announcing Tuesday…” (Villarino, 3/3).

Reuters: Michelle Obama heads to Asia to promote girls’ education
“…The initiative aims to reduce the number of girls — 62 million worldwide — who do not attend school in an effort to improve their financial stability, health, and well-being, according to the administration. The effort, launched last summer through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will utilize the Peace Corps volunteer program to help expand access for schooling for girls, especially for teenagers…” (Heavey, 3/3).

USA Today: Obamas to launch ‘Let Girls Learn’ initiative
“…The administration also said that ‘agencies across the U.S. government will work together to address the range of challenges confronting adolescent girls around the world. Agencies will increase efforts to build strategic partnerships and enhance diplomatic efforts that will help adolescent girls succeed.’ … The administration plans to ask Congress for $250 million to help promote the program…” (Jackson, 3/3).

Washington Post: Obamas launch global focus on the education of girls
“…[President Obama] added that his administration, at the urging of his wife, will try to enhance existing efforts to boost gender equality among adolescents by highlighting successful projects and starting some new ones, some of which will involve the first lady…” (Thompson, 3/3).

White House: FACT SHEET: President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama Announce New Whole of Government Initiative, Let Girls Learn
“…[W]hen a girl receives a quality education, she is more likely to earn a decent living, raise a healthy, educated family, and improve the quality of life for herself, her family, and her community. In addition, girls’ attendance in secondary school is correlated with later marriage, later childbearing, lower maternal and infant mortality rates, lower birth rates, and lower rates of HIV/AIDS…” (3/3).