According to right-to-education.org, “31 million girls, are out of school and two thirds of illiterate adults are women (worldwide)”. The discrimination among females has continued. There are an assortment of reasons for the lack of education. For example,  poverty, pregnancy,  and even the threat of violence.  Many countries like Sub-Saharan Africa have the lowest proportion of countries with equal  gender education. In South and  West Asia 80% of there out of school girls are unlikely to ever begin compared to the 16% of boys that are not in school. Education is an intrinsic right and critical in progression. In order to create a better society we must ensure an education surrounding topics like human rights and gender equality occurs for not only the male population. When this occurs the strong education will be passed down from generation to generation, creating a better just and equal world.

While the numbers have improved from the past of girls receiving an education, there are many barriers girls must overcome to obtain an education. Many young girls have economic and social demands beyond their education, from chores around the house to child labor, child marriage, even genital cutting and mutilation. “One-third of girls in the developing world are married before age 18, and one-third of women in the developing world give birth before age 20” (unicef.com) Studies have shown providing an education for young girls can delay the age of marriage and the age at which a female gives birth. From  education in primary school up to high school we learn how to develop our skills such as writing, speaking up in class, and maybe even math, but the most valuable quality learned is confidence. Confidence grants women the power to fight for what they believe in.

By first becoming aware of the problem with can then  improve our education opportunities for females. We can help women develop the skills to allow them to make their own decisions an influence their community in a positive light.  We must look to those leaders like Malala Yousafzai or Emma Watson to encourage all women for fight for an equal and just education. If you want to make a change and take action, below the video of Malala’s speech is a list or websites where you can contribute to the movement.

Here is a speech done by Malala Yousafzai, whom we discuss in our Sunday Spotlight!

 

Links for you to make a change!

World Education

http://www.worlded.org/WEIInternet/index.cfm

Right to Education Project

http://www.right-to-education.org/

United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative

http://www.ungei.org/index.php

Unicef’s Education Page

https://www.unicef.org/education/bege_70640.html