Today is Blog Action Day and this year the focus is on inequality.
As a father I have hopes and aspirations for my daughter, and one of the most important things is to make sure that she gets a good education. Here in the UK that isn’t really a big problem. Sure, I can agonise over catchment areas and OFSTED reports, but having a choice of schools is a luxury. I don’t have to deal with anyone trying to stop my daughter receiving an education, or limiting the opportunities she has because she is a girl.1
Sadly, the same can’t be said in many other places, in fact according to Plan International 1 in 5 girls is denied an education.2
Making sure that girls get access to good quality education is one of the most significant steps in eradicating inequality. The results are felt far beyond the classroom.
- It can help give them the knowledge and skills they need to establish a livelihood, and to develop a career.
- It can give them the opportunity to enter a relationship by choice, when they are ready and as an equal.
- And it doesn’t just help them as individuals, it can help lift whole communities out of poverty.
There are no limits to what an educated girl can do, they just need to be given the opportunity. Checkout this video from Plan International:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-ZZeE7C7uM&w=560&h=315]
It’s apt that I am writing this in the week that Malala Yousafzai was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the work she has done to promote child rights, particularly in relation to education. If you have any doubt about the power of an educated girl, watch this video of Malala as she addresses the UN on her 16th birthday.
Take Action
I chose the title of this post, Let’s Talk About Inequality, not just because it is the tagline of this year’s Blog Action Day, but because if we’re going to address inequality we have to talk about it. Spread the word, tell other people how important this is and ask them to tell even more people.
Most importantly, take action:
- Give your support to charities that work with communities to address inequality and improve education
- Contact your MP. Politicians aren’t just there to represent your views on local issues, they can have a significant influence on international efforts to address inequality. Visit theyworkforyou.com to find your MP’s contact details and let them know that this issue is important to you.