HOW MANY GIRLS ARE NOT IN SCHOOL?
- According to UNESCO.ORG (which is the United Nations, Educational, scientific and Cultural organization) there are approximately 130 million girls who are currently not enrolled in school. This is 4 million more than boys. 32 million of these girls are of primary school age and 17 million of those girls are expected to never even step foot in a school.
WHY SO MANY?
- The effects of poverty is a common reason as to why millions of girls are not in school. Many families in developing countries can not afford the cost that come with putting a child in school let along a girl. In the U.S, a basic 12 year education is a right that is given to us. There are systems set in place to make sure an education is accessible to everyone. In several countries around the world however, this right is simply not made available. In 2013, Somalia had the highest percentage (95%) of poorest females (aged 7-16) who have never been to school. (CLICK THE BUTTON ABOVE TO LEARN MORE)
- Cultural gender norms is another factor as to why millions of girls are not being educated. In many countries, girls are usually marginalized simply because they are female. A family will usually sacrifice the time and money for the son to go to school while the daughter stays home to cook, clean, or preform other various household duties. This all results from how women are viewed within society. According to theirworld.org, girls are 4 times more likely to be out of school than boys from the same background
- Early childhood marriage is another factor that can affect a girls' education. Though this is a human rights violation, it continues to be a common practice that millions of girls (and boys) are victims of every year. According to girlsnotbrides.org, 15 million girls under the age of 18 are married every year. The country of Niger has the highest childhood marriage rates with 76%. India has the highest absolute number of women married before the age of 18
THE CHILDREN OF CHILD BRIDES ARE AT A 50% GREATER RISK OF INFANT MORTALITY
THAN WOMEN WHO HAVE CHILDREN LATER!!!
In many countries, girls start working as early as the age of five to help support their families. Because many of them have to provide for their families, they are unable to attend school. Child domestic workers are more vulnerable to trafficking and sexual violence. Which also increases their likelihood that they are infected with HIV.