Leaders of some of the world’s top foundations say much more needs to be done to encourage the hopes, dreams and ambitions of young girls.The issue was discussed at the Women Deliver confer ence in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.United Nations Foundation President and CEO Kathy Calvin said investing in girls has long term benefits.“If we don’t put a girl first, if we don’t start with a girl, we may never have the opportunity to help her as a woman.Maria Eitel, President and CEO of the Nike Foundation, said that often there’s a small window of opportunity to intervene on behalf of girls.And what the girl entirely talks about is barriers to her ability to succeed, particularly around the areas of violence and the area of economic duress for her family,” she said.Eitel said in many countries the young girl is “painfully aware” that when her family faces economic problems her life can change dramatically.
