What every girl deserves in this world: Equal access to health care, education and basic human needs.
More than 1 million girls lack access to primary-level education in Kenya. We can change that.
Our challenges and real consequences:
Due to ethnic challenges, tribal barriers and corruption, gender inequality in Kenyan education is made abundantly clear. In certain tribes, girls who receive an education are perceived as rejecting tribal lifestyles and disrespecting traditional norms.
To no surprise, it's also a privilege which the majority cannot afford (many earn less than $1 / day), therefore, many girls are denied education and forced into child labor, early marriages and face the practice of female mutilation. Although the legal age of marriage is 16, girls in Kenya may get married as early as 12 or 13 ears old. 30% of girls under 18 are married.
Facts:
- 700 million women alive today are married before 18. 1/3 were married before 15
- Underprivileged girls are 2.5X more likely to marry in childhood than wealthy ones
- Child marriages ends the opportunity for her education, vocation and right to make life choices
- Birthrate is the highest in rural areas where poverty is most prevalent. These girls are more vulnerable to physical and sexual violence, and bear children well before they are physically or emotionally prepared
- Girls are less able to advocate for themselves and their rights
- The cycle of violence that begins in girlhood, carries over into womanhood and across generations
Their right to learn:
Education helps break the vicious cycle of poverty, as studies have proven that educated women have healthier children, with more promising futures correlating to increased economic productivity, higher earnings and improved societal health. We'll see lower levels of HIV infection, domestic violence and harmful practices toward women. It is the most cost-effective strategies to promote development and economic growth, which can ultimately contribute to shaping their country's infrastructure.
October 11th is not just a day; it's a movement. Its mission is “to help galvanize worldwide enthusiasm for goals to better girls’ lives, providing an opportunity for them to show leadership and reach their full potential.” - UN
On International Day of the Girl - kupambana na juu ya <3