In December 2011, the United Nations declared 11 October as the ‘International Day of the Girl Child’, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges that girls around the world face.
This year the focus is on “Innovating for Girls’ Education”.
Cambodia
A lot of study has gone into why it’s so important that we focus on making sure that the girls’ of the world get the education they deserve, and here are some results:
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Educating girls has a big impact on communities and societies. Education develops critical thinking skills, which are essential for good leaders. More women are needed to solve global problems!
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By educating more girls, we set them up to be able to get good jobs and earn good money. This makes the economy of any country stronger. One extra year of school increases a girl’s future earnings by 10 to 20 percent.
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Girls who have been to school are twice as likely to send their children to primary school. So more educated girls!
This year’s International day of the girl is also very special, because Pakistani school girl turned education activist Malala Yousafzai was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, an incredible achievement. At the age of 11 she began to write a blog under a false name for the BBC describing her life under Taliban rule, and her views on the importance of education for girls. This was very risky, as at times the Taliban had banned girls from attending school in the area that she lived. Malala gained some good international recognition for her writing, but the Taliban were not happy with her voice being heard.
“I think of it often and imagine the scene clearly. Even if they come to kill me, I will tell them what they are trying to do is wrong, that education is our basic right.”
On 9 October 2012, Malala was on the school bus home after taking an exam. A Taliban gunman entered the bus, demanded to speak with her, and when she identified herself as Malala Yousafzai, he shot her.
Malala was very lucky to survive the incident, and recieved her final medical treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
Since her recovery, Malala lives with her family in Birmingham and has been busily campaigning for girls rights to receive education, and developing her charity The Malala fund.
She has been described as an inspiration by many of our world leaders, and certainly by her brave choice to speak out for those who deserve an education, for those who do not have the opportunity to make their voices heard, this makes her a worthy nominee of this important prize.
To learn more….
About Malala Yousafzai and her charity, click here…
Also why not check out Day of the girl to find out about a youth-led all girl action team who raise awareness about International day of the girl.
Photography
Title Image: Prabhu D. Boss Parkachik Village, Suru Valley, North India
Global partnership for Education
