SHS’ GirlUp lobbies to help pass Bill H.R. 5735

Solon High School’s GirlUp club lobbied Ohio congress members on Sept. 29 to sponsor Bill H.R. 5735, the Protecting Girls Right to Education in Vulnerable Settings Act.

“What [this act] does is encourage other countries to provide refugees with education because these girls are leaving their countries… they don’t have any access to education,” said Kelly Fishman, SHS GirlUp advisor. “The point is to really encourage Congress to make sure those refugees have access to education.”

GirlUp, an international club supporting the advancement of women’s rights, became one of SHS’ extracurriculars two years ago. Founded by juniors Shobitha Sanjeevan and Diana Huang, Solon’s chapter of GirlUp has taken initiative to ensure that refugee girls will be getting an education everywhere.

“Our whole club called in to all of the Ohio representatives and senators,” Huang said. “We talked about how impactful this bill would be and…encouraged them to support it.”

Though the girls won’t find out if the bill passes until November, Sanjeevan and Huang both agree this bill is much bigger than a GirlUp project.

“[The refugee girls] are taken from their homes and their lives are completely changed, the fact they get the chance to get an education… that’s the most important tool that allows you to have a life,” Sanjeevan said.

Junior Hallie Fried, vice president of GirlUp, said she believes this bill shows SHS students how privileged American girls are to have an education.

“Every single person attending Solon Schools is privileged,” Fried said. “Each one of us has the ability to stand up for others and do what is right. Refugees and displaced girls lack this privilege, as most of them live in patriarchal societies. We know that this is  necessary and right, so we’ll try our best and put in as much effort and passion as possible in order to help these girls obtain a basic necessity of life.”

While all agree that although the club is small, they all hope to make a big impact to help pass this bill. As women, this bill hits close to home for them.

“If you don’t have an education, it limits you across the board,” Fishman said. “Whether it’s race, gender, religion [or] sexual orientation; when you’re not educated about something, then how do you speak up for yourself?”

While the girls’ excitement only grows as November grows nearer, the club is proud for taking initiative to pass this bill, regardless of the decision.

Until November, the club is working on their next project, Veil Day. Members of the club will create wedding veils for themselves to promote awareness of child marriage in other countries.

“GirlUp represents equality, and that’s what we stand for,” Sanjeevan said. “We want to help girls around the world.”