Debt is stealing girls’ futures. ACTSA joins Malala Fund’s call to reform global debt system
04/11/2025
Ahead of the G20 in South Africa, ACTSA joined a group of organisations and individuals across the world, headed by the Malala Fund, demanding bold and fair reform to end the broken debt system that denies girls the power to shape their futures.
The global debt crisis is robbing millions of girls of their education, health, and dreams.
When governments are forced to cut essential services to pay creditors, it’s girls who pay the price — leaving school to care for siblings, losing access to healthcare, and seeing their opportunities disappear. Today, more than half of low-income countries are in or near debt distress, diverting vital funds from classrooms and health clinics to creditors.
Countries in Southern Africa like Zambia and Malawi are particularly badly affected. Malawi, where only 15% of children finish secondary school, spends twice as much on debt than on education.
Debt justice is a girls’ rights issue. World leaders must choose justice over austerity — and build a fairer debt system that puts girls, care, and equality at the centre.
Ahead of the G20 and other key global debt debates, we are uniting economic justice and girls’ rights advocates behind a shared demand: debt justice for girls.
This statement — co-written with young women leaders and 20+ allies — calls on world leaders to act now for a fairer, more just global financial system.
You can read the statement here.