Blog 9: Girls Risk Their Lives for Education
Currently supporters of girls’ education in Afghanistan and
Africa are being threatened, bombed, and murdered. Teachers are being shot at, classrooms in
North Pakistan are being blown up, and a principal in Karachi was shot at,
including other te4achers within that all-girls school who were having grenades
thrown at them.
Malala Yousafzai, a 15 year old girl who was shot at in October
simply because she wanted to attend school and support all girls to attend
school, and she is now a global symbol for the right of girls to receive their
education.
Hidden beneath silence and discrimination, we are seeing
public defiance within Afghanistan and Africa, similar to the 1960’s in America
when people were fighting for their rights against segregation and gender
discrimination. These girls and their
families are no longer afraid of their right to receive an education, no matter
the death threats imposed upon them.
The girls themselves are pushing this civil rights movement
to the forefront, saying how the government and the education minister had deceived
his duty to encourage education for all, including girls. These girls are creating “child-marriage-free
zones”.
In Bangladesh, 19 zones have been created, with girls
pledging to stay in school, resisting to be married against their will. In addition to the child and marriage free
zones, petitions against child labor and against child trafficking have many
young girls fighting for their own rights, human self-worth and civility, and
fair treatment.
Next week the United Nations secretary general will meet
with other countries to discuss incentives, developments, and money issues necessary
for the enrollment of girls in school.
These girls are empowered, demanding choice to make something
of themselves beyond simply being wives and mothers. “Four years ago, girls were hiding their
books under their burqas. Now, the
Taliban ‘can’t stop us from going to school.
I want to study. I am not afraid.’ Now, ‘we are strong.’”
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I find it empowering that these girls and supporters of their rights are taking a stand despite the fatal threats of those opposing equality for education. I feel that everyone no matter what country they live in deserve a right to a full and quality education, no matter their race/ethnicity, religious belief, gender, etc.
Jessica Hanley
4/12/13
12:14 p.m.
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