USCCB-CRS Letter to Senate on Girls Access to Education, January 30, 2018

USCCB-CRS Letter to Senate on Girls Access to Education, signed by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Chairman, Committee on International Justice and Peace, Bishop Joe P. Vasquez, Chairman, Committee on Migration, and Sean Callahan, President & CEO, Catholic Relief Services, January 30, 2018

As President of Catholic Relief Services, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace, and Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, we urge you to support S.1580, the “Protecting Girls’ Access to Education in Vulnerable Settings Act.” This bill addresses human trafficking and the factors that contribute to it. Among those most vulnerable to human trafficking, early marriage, and forced labor are displaced and refugee children, especially girls. Yet we know that certain forms of protection, including education, help reduce these children’s risk of trafficking and provide them with critical knowledge and skills to live productive and fulfilling lives. Therefore, we write to respectfully request that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee consider moving forward consideration of S.1580.  

S.1580, introduced by Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), will help to ensure that displaced and refugee children, especially girls, have access to education. Currently, the gross enrollment rate for primary school is 90% globally; however, among refugees it is only 61%. While educational opportunities provide stability and psychosocial support to mitigate the impact of violence and displacement among refugee children, it is vastly under-prioritized in the humanitarian sector. Pre-primary education for young children is perhaps the most critical, as the early years are when human brain architecture is built— the basis for all future behavior, health and learning.  

For every $1 invested in primary education, $15 is generated in economic growth. Each additional year of schooling increases average wages by 10% and reduces the risk that children will be abused, exploited or conscripted into armed groups. In fact, each additional year of education for boys reduces by 20% the chance they will become involved in conflict. Further, children who are born to educated mothers are more likely to survive past their fifth birthday, enjoy better nutrition and are more likely to be vaccinated against deadly diseases. High quality education can also promote tolerance, inclusion, and address underlying causes of violence.

USCCB-MRS-CRS-Letter-to-Sen-Corker-Refugee-Ed-Bill-2018-01-30.pdf