Education Rights for Girls:
How Girls Can Change the World
Think About This...
What if today was your last day at school? Due to some Governmental Issues both of your parents lost their jobs and now they are unable to fully support the family, and are now relying on your help. If you are a girl you must marry a wealthy man who can be up to three or four times your age as soon as possible. If you are a boy you must do a labour intensive job that can help pay for basic necessities. In both cases, you are deprived of your basic human rights to go to school.
Facts
- 66 million girls around the world are not in school
- It is proven that with an education, girls can lift themselves – and everyone around them – out of poverty
- For every extra year a girl stays in school, her income can increase by 15 to 25%
- There is a 20% increase in child survival when household income is in a mother’s hands
- If 10% more girls attend school, a country’s GDP increases by an average of 3%
- When a girl receives more education, she is 6X less likely to be married as a child and will have 2.2 fewer, yet healthier children who are more likely to go to school themselves
- Each extra year of a mother’s schooling cuts infant mortality by between 5 and 10%
*All facts were gotten from Because I Am A Girl
Obstacle's Girls Face
- fellow classmates and teachers cause sexual harassment and abuse
- girls are often expected to do more cleaning at school than boys - which is still true today, to a certain extent (very stereotypical)
- the learning materials have negative gender stereotypes towards girls
- teachers favour boys in classrooms and have lower expectations of girls
- they are fewer woman teachers than male teachers
- there is a belief that the family will not benefit from a girl's education
- there is pressure for early marriage - that can be forced - since women are valued by the number of children they have
- the distances that a girl must walk to the nearest school make it unsafe
- girls are expected to do family care and housework and therefore have no time to go to school after they are finished their expected chores
- girls and their families live in poverty and the cost of education can become an issue
- a lack of girls' washrooms at school make it difficult for a girl to remain healthy if she goes to get an education
Child Marriage
There is pressure for early marriage and it can be forced.
Education Costs
The cost of education is high and families don't believe there is a benefit to educating girls.
Girls' Washrooms
Lack of girls' washrooms at school make it unhealthy and difficult for girls to attend.
How It All Started
Finally in 1994, people began taking the initiative to help girls earn their right to an education. The government in Uganda had started to provide free placement of 2 children in every household encouraging that at least one of the free placements should be used for the girls in the family. This was the starting to something great as now many organization are helping girls to receive an education, worldwide.
Organizations Today
Organizations that are now taking it upon themselves to ensure every girl has a right to her education are the following:
- Because I Am A Girl
- Free the Children
- Plan Canada
- UNICEF
They help to:
- Provide equal education to boys and girls by developing a non-stereotypical learning environment
- Educate the boys and men about the importance of gender equality
- Give girls a safe learning environment that is free of violence, abuse, and bullying
- Provide schools with special feeding programs that help give girls food and encourages parents to send them to school
- Give girls reasons to go to school by providing loans, training programs, and scholarships
- Raise awareness of the importance of giving girl's an education at the home and community of the girl through information sessions
How You Can Help
- Donate money to organizations and send a girl to school
- Raise awareness - just talking about it CAN make a difference
Even a small contribution can change the life of a girl!
Invest in girls and change the world
Event Information
International Women's Day
March 8th is International Women’s Day
Celebrate women and girls around the world
International Women’s Day is a time to recognize the achievements and potential of women and girls.
When?
Saturday, Mar 8, 2014, 12:00 AM
Where?
Everywhere!
Girls' Right to Education