130 million girls didn’t go to school today— not because they didn’t want to, but because they weren’t given the chance.
There are dire consequences to not educating girls. In many countries, girls out of school will be more likely to become child brides, more vulnerable to diseases like HIV, and more likely to die young. For example, if current trends in education continue, by 2050, this is the future we’re looking at: Low-income countries alone will lose $1.8 trillion; the number of lives lost each year because of a failure to provide adequate access to quality education will equal those lost today to HIV and AIDS and malaria, some of the most deadly global diseases; and almost 950 million women will have been married as children, up from more than 700 million today.
This is a global crisis, and we need to make sure world leaders are paying attention. That’s why we want you to add your voice to the chorus of those calling for funding for girls’ education. We have a unique window of opportunity coming up soon in which world leaders will be asked to crowdfund the Global Partnership for Education – the only global fund solely dedicated to education in developing countries. It won’t solve the crisis alone. But if they all chip in enough, millions more girls will have the chance to complete 12 full years of school. To urge support, we’ll be delivering this petition to decision makers—add your name and make your voice heard!
Need inspiration? Here are 8 incredible quotes on the value of educating girls everywhere:
First Lady Michelle Obama discusses the Let Girls Learn program in Buenos Aires on March 23, 2016. (Photo credit: Embajada de EEUU en la Argentina/Wikimedia Commons)
“The ability to read, write, and analyze; the confidence to stand up and demand justice and equality; the qualifications and connections to get your foot in that door and take your seat at that table—all of that starts with education.”
–Michelle Obama, Let Girls Learn speech, International Women’s Day 2016
“The rights we want:
We want to choose our husband,
We want to own the land,
We want to go to school,
We don’t want to be cut anymore,
We want also to make decisions,
We want respect in politics,
To be leaders,
We want to be equal.”
–Rebecca Lolosoli, who helped establish the Umoja Women’s Village in Kenya after she was beaten for speaking up for victims of rape
“Boko Haram sees girls’ education as a threat simply because they are aware of the tremendous potential and power of an educated girl.”
–Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi, a longtime Global Fund for Women advisor in Nigeria
Malala Yousafzai. (Photo credit: Southbank Centre/Wikimedia Commons)
“Nigeria faces many challenges—but none of them can be solved without education. Today tens of millions of Nigerian children are out of school; most of them are girls. This is a tragedy for girls, an enormous waste of human potential and a threat to the future of Nigeria.”
–Malala Yousafzai calling for Nigeria to call a state of emergency for education
“Education is a basic need and a fundamental right for every human being. I want to change the way my community looks at education, and I will continue to do this until my last breath.”
–Humaira Bachal, Pakistani activist for girls’ education
“Women and girls are Africa’s greatest untapped resource, and it is they, not diamonds or oil and minerals, that will be the foundation for solid, sustainable and equitable progress. Health and development experts, economists, non-governmental organisations, UN agencies, and even banks agree that expanding the freedoms, the education, and opportunities for women holds the key to kickstarting inclusive economic growth. This is true the world over, and particularly true for Africa.”
–Joaquim Chissano, former president of Mozambique
Queen Rania of Jordan. (Photo credit: World Economic Forum/Wikimedia Commons)
“I’ve always believed that when you educate a girl, you empower a nation.”
–Queen Rania of Jordan, advocate for girls’ education
“I know no better weapon in life to fight injustice than education.”
–Tererai Trent, keynote speaker at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit and adjunct professor in Monitoring & Evaluation in Global Health at Drexel University
Want to help make sure every girl gets an education? Tell world leaders to make this issue a priority.
