An abbreviated "Summary of our Report" Based on Responses to our Questionaire

We have received more than 200 responses from more than 75 countries.

Our Goals: Next Steps

The WGGs will play a major role at the CSW meeting in March 1998 where the Girl Child will be one of the four themes addressed. The WGGs have been designated the CONGO (Conference of NGOs for the UN) Task Force for the Girl Child and will be responsible for drafting position papers, responding to government statements and taking an active role in the agreed upon conclusion of the meeting.

The WGGs have been tracking government follow-up on promises made to girls at Beijing through a "Country Commitment Chart" that is widely disseminated to NGOs worldwide. At the CSW, the WGGs will publish and disseminate a monitoring report which reflects this information on a regional and country basis. You can help by filling out our online chart before you leave our site.

At the CSW meeting, the WGGs will hold daily caucuses and present two panels on the topics "Effective Advocacy for Girls at the Community Level" and "Girls' Labour". The WGGs plan to bring twelve girls from six regions around the world to participate in CSW discussions, caucuses and a Speakout for Girls.

Down the Road

The mission of the WGGs is to help build a local movement on behalf of and in conjunction with girls through the establishment of national, regional and international NGO coalitions and networks.

These coalitions will monitor progress for girls; collect and disseminate information on "best practices", that is, successful government and civil society programmes for girls worldwide; advocate collectively for governments to take actions on behalf of girls and enable girls themselves to come to the forefront of the process that rightfully belongs to them.

The growth of such a movement will enable today's girls to develop their full potential and take their rightful place as tomorrow's women -- leaders, parents and productive, contributing members of society.