Why Girls? Across the developing world, women and girls are consistently marginalized and undervalued. While developed nations still struggle to achieve complete gender equality, in sub-Saharan Africa, women’s fundamental rights are at risk. Here, men are traditionally seen as the breadwinners and thus families, who are in the grips of poverty, devote the few resources they have to their boys alone.     Girls are less likely to be taken to a doctor when sick, to get vaccinated, and to attend school than their male counterparts. Instead, she is cleaning, cooking, and generally confined to the home. As soon as possible, she will be married off and start having children, with few choices to do otherwise. However, study after study confirms that when given the right educational and vocational opportunities, a girl will invest almost all her income and knowledge into her family. This not only results in women having fewer, more healthy children but in turn helps lift their families and their nations out of poverty. It is with these proven successes and the untapped potential of women that Nurturing Minds is devoted to providing quality education to girls who have the greatest need.  This cause has never been more relevant than in Tanzania, where founder Polly Dolan first began her development work. In this politically stable, peaceful nation,  the majority of girls are able to complete primary school. However, whether it is because a girl needs to work to support her family, becomes pregnant or simply does not have adequate transportation, few are able to continue to the secondary school level. To serve this growing need, Nurturing Minds supports the Sega Girls School, a safe and sustainable environment where girls can focus on their education and their future. The Girl Effect: The World’s Greatest Untapped Solution. www.girleffect.org U.S. Department of State, Secretary’s International Fund for Women and Girls: Why Women? Why Now? http://www.state.gov/s/gwi/womensfund/why/index.htm. Women Moving Millions Campaign. http://www.womenmovingmillions.net/why_women.html. The World Bank, Gender Equality as Smart Economics: A World Bank Action Plan.