Subscribe to RSS
Here Is One Thing Helping Girls
Education of Girls a Top International Priority
Living in the US, as I do, it’s hard to imagine a cultural, social, economic, or religious setting in which girls aren’t allowed to or aren’t able to go to school. But that’s the hard truth for girls all over the world. About 53% of the children in the world, from age 5-16, who are eligible for primary education aren’t getting it. There are lots of reasons for that, but it’s enough of a problem for the world economy that the UN has made it a special project.
The United Nations Girls Education Initiative
The United Nations Girls Education Initiative (UNGEI) has made it its goal “that, by 2015, all children complete primary schooling, with girls and boys having equal access to free, quality education.” It’s actually been around since 2000, as part of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. Goal number 2 states hopes to “ensure that all boys and girls complete a full course of primary schooling.”
Why Girls?
The UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) acknowledge that it’s important for all children to have at least a primary school education, where they can learn to read, write, take care of their bodies and minds, and either learn a trade or skill or prepare for further education. That’s a challenging goal, since not all nations provide free public education, or education isn’t accessible by religious or ethnic minorities, or children need to work in order to help the family survive. But in some places, where education is an option, it is often offered only to the sons of the family, not to daughters.
Where daughters aren’t educated, they have no choice but to become dependent on others for their very survival. They can’t help their own children adapt to and prosper in a changing world. Fathers can travel to find work, or even abandon the family when things get too hard, but mothers generally can’t, so they need to have enough education and skills to provide for their children if the father should have to, or choose to, leave. If they don’t have these, their children will grow up in poverty and the cycle will repeat itself.
How is UNGEI Doing?
The UN expressed a commitment to achieve parity in education by 2015, and UNGEI is the means by which they are trying to get that done. But there’s still a long way to go—as of this year, only 1 nation out of every 3 has as many girls in school as boys, even though there are more girls than boys in the world’s population. It’s getting better in many places, but it’s not likely to be achieved by 2015.
Why Education is Important
I’m a professional woman with advanced degrees. I love being married and having kids, too, but it’s hard for me to imagine having to give up my education in order to do those things. When I look at my daughters—and listen to them complain about having to go to school—I’m struck by how bright and creative they are, and I’m so grateful that those gifts are developed and encouraged in their schools. They will go on to college and learn how to make life better for both their communities and their own families.
I’m not the UN’s biggest fan, but I think they have this Millennium Development Goal right. Education for all children, boys and girls, can go far to make life better for everyone.
More posts by Kathy Teel »
Author: KathyTeel
Kathy Teel is a freelance writer and editor, and a part time college professor. She lives in Missouri with her husband (another professor), their kids (a high schooler, middle schooler, and grade schooler), and three dogs. Check our her company's website at www.teelwriting.com.
0 Comments
You can be the first one to leave a comment.