The COVID-19 pandemic has left millions of girls at risk of school dropout across Asia, Middle East & Africa (AMEA). Mercer launches P.A.G.E 150, a regional initiative to empower organisations that support girls’ education in AMEA.
20%
Of girls in East Asia and the Pacific have not been able to access distance learning during COVID-19
69%
Reported studying and learning less than usual
$1 bn
What some countries stand to lose by failing to educate girls to the same level as boys
25
Years of gains made in girls’ education may be erased
2.8m
Women and girls in South and West Asia may not be able to return to education
20%
Just one more year of school can increase a girl’s earnings when she is an adult by up to 20%
Close to 40 million girls across Asia Pacific have no access to distance learning and 69 percent of girls are studying and learning less than usual – all as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, millions of girls are at risk of dropping out of school.
We’re going to support these organisations the best way we know how; in building better career paths for their employees, strengthening their health and benefit programmes and supporting their strategic planning, investments, or even their marketing efforts.
P.A.G.E 150 is all the more meaningful because this year, we also mark the 150th anniversary of our parent company Marsh McLennan. Every day, our 75,000 colleagues across the world work to help businesses thrive and address the challenges and opportunities of our time.
Across Mercer’s markets in AMEA, our teams pledge at least 150 hours of skill-based volunteering over the next 12 months. Our hope is help grow these social enterprises, so they can provide greater educational access and opportunities; to girls from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
In the months and years ahead, I look forward to sharing stories of the doors that have been opened and the lives -- and futures – of girls that have been transformed across AMEA.
Many social enterprises and nonprofits have been hard hit by the pandemic with fewer volunteers and donations. This could hurt their operations, staffing and growth prospects. By supporting these organisation the best way we know how, we can help these social enterprises build back better and stronger so they can expand and support even more girls through education.
Africa
