From a young age, girls face barriers to accessing and staying in quality education. Factors such as domestic work and prevailing negative attitudes towards girls’ education and life opportunities, as well as financial barriers, are key mediating influences. Adolescent girls are at particular risk of secondary school drop-out due to early pregnancy and early marriage, as well as unequal domestic and caring responsibilities. Dropping out of school has long-term impacts on their economic livelihoods and security. These challenges are exacerbated in the context of chronic poverty, crises and climate change, and for women and girls facing intersecting discrimination because of disability, LGBT+ status, race or ethnicity.