Educate the girls…

I was recently going through a UNICEF report ‘The state of the world’s children‘ published in 2004 – the report focusses on the millenium develpoment goals, primarily universalisation of education and gender equality – to be achieved by 2015.

From the foreword by Kofi Annan,

Every boy and girl around the world has a right to expect that we will do all we can to ensure that they will enjoy their right to an education. But in most countries, girls are the most disadvantaged when it comes to school. As this year’s State of the World’s Children reports, millions of young girls never attend school at all, millions more never complete their education, and countless numbers never receive the quality education that is their right. These millions of girls slip easily to the margins of our societies – less healthy than they could be, less skilled, with fewer choices in their lives and less hope for the future. As they grow into women, they are ill-prepared to participate fully in the political, social and economic development of their communities. They – and their children in turn – are at higher risk of poverty, HIV/AIDS, sexual exploitation, violence and abuse.

Conversely, to educate a girl is to educate a whole family. And what is true of families is also true of communities and, ultimately, whole countries. Study after study has taught us that there is no tool for development more effective than the education of girls. No other policy is as likely to raise economic productivity, lower infant and maternal mortality, improve nutrition and promote health – including helping to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. No other policy is as powerful in increasing the chances of education for the next generation.

I found a summary of the most recent report on the internet – The 2006 report is about children excluded and invisible – not just denied access to education and other rights that the UN considers basic but additionally coping with armed conflict, HIV, exclusion and discrimination… I have not yet read this latest report but a quick glance showed no indication of the progress made towards the set goals, but sadly additional goals to be met…

Here is an ad I came across while searching for some information on gender and education: More education for girls in Islamic countries!

[Image courtesy : adsoftheworld]

Here is the video of the ad – I personally prefer the print version – it is simple and powerful…