How can political leadership promote 12 years of quality education for all girls? This policy note accompanies a report from the Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre, University of Cambridge, which seeks to answer this question. The study is based on a review of global evidence, with a focus on low- and lower-middle income countries where most action is needed to achieve the world’s development goals. This policy note focuses on: a) A framework for understanding the influence of political leadership for girls’ education; b) Factors that underpin political leadership for girls’ education; c) How political leadership can ensure that national planning and financing promotes 12 years of quality education for all girls; d) Five key areas in which political leadership can be translated into concrete, sustainable and effective action for girls’ education.