Let Her Learn!
Why providing education for all girls ROCK and matters around the world today.
Why can’t some women be educated? Why do they have to fight for equal access to education in some parts of the world? Are men to blame? A country’s government (that’s dominated by men)? Or are we focused on “bigger issues” to fry?
I’m calling bullshit on people in power (and us as a society) who haven’t stepped up to take real action towards helping our women and girls out. I will address four reasons why everyone should support and take action on education access & equality for girls.
Why should we support education for girls?
Reason #1
Generations of educated girls.
If we educate a girl, we can educate a family. We will be educating not just a family, but the entire country — if not, the world. Educated mothers are more likely to send their children to school (some mothers send their sons to school and keep their daughters at home) with the support of their father. If children are born to literate mothers, they are more likely to survive past the age of five.
Reason #2
Increase in socio-economic status.
Women are less likely to be in poverty and able to live healthy and productive lives. They will raise the standard of living for their household. Both parents could (and/or should) be working. Why do we have to have this “Stay-at-home mom” mentaltity? And I’m not saying women have to work full-time nor leave home for work. There are thousands of people making money online without taking a single step out the house.
Reason #3
Increase involvement in Politics.
By having more women become a part of politics, they will contribute to the political and decision making process — making for a more effective and reflective government. Currently, there are twenty-two women in power around the world. Powerful and populous countries like China and the United States of America has yet to elected/appoint a female leader for their country. In America, 2016 may be the year we see a change (Hillary Rodham Clinton).
Reason #4
31 million out of school, 4 million girls missing each year.
The fact speaks for itself. What if your daughter, niece, or sister was apart of this statistic? We have to do something about this.
What should we do?
Parent/Community Involvement
We need all hands on deck when it comes to providing the best education for our kids. The parents and community plays a major role in rasing children. Parents can be a part of curriculum development and manage their child’s education (helping them with homework and communicating with their teachers; a collaborative effort).
Provide free education
In doing so it will:
- Provide effective and qualified Teachers
- Develop basic skills
- Catch girls up on work for lost time
- Provide schools close to home
- Provided releveant curriculum related to the girls background/culture. Insert a global curricula over time — avoid reproducing gender stereotypes.
Legislative Action
We need to make use of our monetary resources (a possible budget increase).
Today, girls outperform boys in some areas, but the glass is still half full; women earn less then men, fewer CEO/management positions and are most likely to live below the poverty line.
The following countries restrict (to some capacity) women and girls from recieving an education (many more than listed):
India
Cambodia
Pakistan
Nepal
Afghanistan
Chad
Papua New Guinea
Haiti
Egypt
Guatemala
We need to understand that gender equality in all parts if our society means economic empowerment. Also it is a moral imperative. It’s a key factor in a person’s well being and happiness across the world. We can be the change we wish to see and I hope we all can work together on this.
“Education is the basic fundamental and moral element in a child’s life to succeed and to be apart of a society in need of innovators.” — Darrion M. Willis
Sources:
World Bank (2012 World Development Report on Gender Equality and Development)
Organisation for EconomicCo-operation and Development 2015
Women in International Politics (http://firstladies.international/2015/03/05/2015-women-and-political-leadership-female-heads-of-state-and-heads-of-governments/)
