International Women's Day allowed me to reflect on my celebration of what has been accomplished in the advancement of female rights.
My research showed that we still have much to do.
I base my comments on what is happening in the world today:
- 130 million girls are not able to attend school. This is almost four times the population of Canada. And if this were a country, it would be the 10th largest country in the world.
- The estimated cost of a 12-year education for a child in the poorest countries is about US$427.25 per year, or US$1.17 per day.
We know that the fight against extreme poverty is tied to the fight for gender equality and empowerment, and nowhere is this more evident than in education.
Improving girls’ access to education in the poorest countries improves health outcomes for women and their children, increases economic growth both at the household and national levels, and can mitigate the spread of violence.
Yet girls in the poorest countries are less likely than their male counterparts to attend and complete school.
So what can you do?
You can write to your MPs — Marc Serre, (Nickel Belt) and/or Paul Levebvre (Sudbury) — and ask that Canada increase the amount that it (we) gives to improve educational opportunities around the world for global education. There is no cost for postage. The only cost is your time.
Finally, I invite you to join the ONE campaign and add your voice to the millions of people around the world who are helping to make a difference.
Go online to one.org/canada/. The ONE campaign does not ask for money. It simply asks you to add your voice. Many voices amplified sends a clear message to the Canadian government and to world leaders to increase their financial contribution to female education, around the world.
Mercedez Quinlan Labelle
Azilda