First Lady Michelle Obama Celebrates ‘Let Girls Learn’ Throughout March

To celebrate the first anniversary of Let Girls Learn — and March as Women’s History Month — the First Lady will participate in a series of events in support of adolescent girls’ education around the world.

[Related: Michelle Obama Calls on Top Female Executives to Support Girls Education]

Globally, more than 62 million girls are not in school — more than half of whom are adolescent — because of complex physical, cultural, and financial barriers in accessing education. When a girl (in any country) 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. 

Last week, the Peace Corps announced 23 new Let Girls Learn countries. The Peace Corps’ Let Girls Learn countries now comprise the following:

Albania

Armenia

Benin

Burkina Faso

Cambodia

Cameroon

Costa Rica

Ecuador

Ethiopia

Fiji

The Gambia

Georgia

Ghana

Guinea

Guyana

Jamaica

Lesotho

Liberia

Madagascar

Malawi

Moldova

Mongolia

Mozambique

Panama

Peru

Samoa

Senegal

Sierra Leone

South Africa

Tanzania

Thailand

Togo

Uganda

Vanuatu

Zambia

On Tuesday, March 8, in celebration of International Women’s Day, the first lady will travel to Union Market where she will deliver remarks and announce private sector commitments in support of Let Girls Learn. 

On Thursday, March 10, as part of the official visit, the first lady and Mrs. Sophie Grégoire Trudeau of Canada will participate in a program to highlight the Let Girls Learn effort and‎ raise awareness about global girls’ education.

On Wednesday, March 16, the first lady will travel to Austin to address attendees at the SXSW Music Conference and discuss Let Girls Learn, and the ways students across the country can take action on critical issues like adolescent girls education.

And during the president and first lady’s trip to Cuba and Argentina, Mrs. Obama will highlight Let Girls Learn and meet with young people to discuss ways that youth around the world can become global citizens through their education and community leadership.

On Tuesday, March 29, the first lady will attend the 2016 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award at the U.S. Department of State.

The Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award annually recognizes women around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in championing peace, justice, human rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment, often at great personal risk.

For more on Let Girls Learn, visit www.LetGirlsLearn.gov.