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Girls
Education |
“Study
after study has taught us that there is no tool for development
more effective than the education of girls.”
Kofi Annan, Secretary-General, United Nations
Today women through out the world
are facing what has been coined “gender apartheid”,
a denial of basic human rights based simply on the fact they are
female. The UNDP found that “women’s capability to
enjoy a ‘good life’ consistently falls short of men’s”.
Many women find themselves at a disadvantage for nourishment,
education, health care, freedom of expression in public sphere,
and recreation, as well as increased vulnerability for abuse,
and disease.
One of the factors contributing to the challenges faced by women
is the powerlessness they face in society. According to the research
conducted by the UN, 2/3 of the world’s 875 illiterate adults
are women. Impoverished girls are more likely to be forced to
leave school to help at home or business than their male counterparts.
Illiterate and undereducated women must then depend on men for
income, placing them at greater risk for abuse and disease within
their homes.
On challenging girls’ access to education is the cost. Primary
school is free in Zambia, but the costs of uniforms, books, and
other education materials can cut significantly into a family
finances. Once girls pass the seventh grade, there are the additional
costs of school fees can become an additional barrier for girls’
school attendance. Because boys education is considered a better
investment for families, inasmuch as girls are usually solely
responsible for work in the domestic sphere and hence impoverished
families are more likely to send boys to school rather than girls.
In light of the increased vulnerability of undereducated women,
Ubumi has created an initiative that empowers young girls and
women by supporting their education. Today Ubumi is helping nearly
150 young girls in Kitwe receive access to proper education, but
the need increases everyday; especially for girls who have completed
primary school. To learn more about Ubumi’s Girl’s
Education Initiative, or to help sponsor a young girl in her schooling,
please don’t hesitate to contact Ubumi at admin@ubumi.org
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