Can you count how many times you’ve heard from people that education for women is just a formality? I remember my friend saying that education for her is just a tick in a to do list. I could not believe that a girl who lived in a well-developed country with thousands of opportunities around her could say something like that. As for me, education was always one of the most important things in my life, and I could not imagine that there are some people without any education at all.
On October 1st, Glamour magazine had a panel – “The Power of an Educated Girl” with Michelle Obama, Julia Gillard, Charlize Theron and Nurfahada – a student advocate from the Philippines. The main topic was the importance of education for females, and it outlined that over 62 million girls do not even attended to schools. I was shocked by this information. We have 62 million girls who cannot get basic knowledge that people get from school.
Throughout the panel, I realized how significant the problem of uneducated woman is. It reflects on the economy of a country, on its development, on people’s happiness, on their entire life success, and so many other things that you would not think of. As Michelle Obama said, “it is an investment in your future and in the future of the world. We are changing the world right now, and it’s time to say. Not only boys are worthy of a good education and professional career, but all girl around the world.”.
It is not about feminism, but it is more about underestimating women’s abilities and infringing on ones rights. In many countries, cultures, and even families, girls are not even considered for obtaining a higher education and to build a career. An excellent example is Nurfahada with her story; she came from Philippines where for a girl to get an education is a real challenge because they are mainly considered as housewives. For me, girls like Nurfahada deserves respect; they go through many obstacles in order to exercise their right to an education. I feel so lucky now because I basically won the lottery by birth; I don’t need to fight for my education, and I have a family that never questioned the importance of school and a university education for me.
The information that not all girls can get an education inspired me to go ahead and find a way I can positively affect the problem. If it has inspired me, I think it would inspire many people to change their thinking about woman’s education.
Don’t look at this as some kind of feminist boom, even the guests from the “Glamour Magazine Panel” say that girls must compete with boys, show that they are better and smarter. Think of it as of a way to give some confidence to young girls because some of them live with the idea that education is not necessary for women.
In the 21st century, an education gives an opportunity for personal development and for the development of a nation, and the world. Our main goal is to promote and give an education to everyone in the world – to change people’s thinking on the significance of woman’s education.
Start changing the world now and join the campaign on 62milliongirls.com – Let the information go around! If you feel like you want to do more, you can find more information here! Don’t forget to watch “The Power of An Educated Girl” panel.
Photo credits:
Girl alone – photo credit: via photopin (license)
Woman in train – photo credit: via photopin (license)
By Leyla Eminalieva – Mediazone Lab Assistant
