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This photo is showing us how women around the world can get an education, and deserve an education. This young women is studying on a chalkboard.

Burk, M. (2013, October 09). International Day of the Girl Child: Focus on Education. Retrieved March 26, 2017, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/martha-burk/international-day-of-the-girl-child_b_4072375.html

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The United Nations has declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to focus attention on girls' empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. This year's observance targets education.

Around the world, girls are not only deprived of education, they are punished for seeking knowledge. The most famous case is that of Malala Yousafzai who was shot in the head one year ago by Pakistani Taliban for speaking out on the need to educate Pakistani girls. Malala survived, and is now a favorite for this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

But Malala's story is only one of many. In poor countries worldwide, as well as countries in con flict, girls are deprived of education more often than their brothers. Thirty million girls around the world are not in elementary school. In Nigeria, the sixth biggest oil producer in the world, many girls receive just six months of education over their entire lives.

But it's not all bad news -- and the International Day of the Girl Child celebrates good news, too. There are programs like Room to Read, which works across Asia and Africa to promote literacy and gender equality in education. In India, PACE Universal nurtures the education, health, and social development of girls in the one of the world's most impoverished regions.

Well, you may be thinking, there's no problem here. In the U.S. all girls have access to education, and girls even outnumber boys now in high school graduation rates and college enrollment. True enough. And there's no disputing that girls born in the U.S. have won the lottery of life compared to girls in poor and war-torn countries.

But despite our prosperity and universal education, we still have work to do. Girls are lagging far behind in science, math, and technology enrollment. It's a gender gap our country can't afford, and some innovative programs at lower levels are trying to overcome it early.

Two programs doing just that are Coastal Studies for Girls, which introduces junior high girls to marine science, and Girls Who Code which works to educate and inspire high school girls to go into computer science. Both are nurturing the female technology leaders of tomorrow.

So that's the good news for this year's International Day of the Girl Child. If the world works together, maybe in another generation we won't have to have a special day, because girls worldwide will at last be getting the education -- and respect -- they deserve.

Listen to the two minute radio commentary here:
A version of this blog originally appeared on The Broad Side

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International Day of the Girl Child: Focus on Education

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The United Nations has declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to focus attention on girls' empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. This year's observance targets education. Around the world, girls are not only deprived of education, they are punished for seeking knowledge.

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This photo presents numerous facts about how important education is for young girls around the world. Because I am a girl is a program for young girls around the world.

Sponsor a Girl. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2017, from http://plancanada.ca/because-i-am-a-girl

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Michelle Obama Launches $200M Effort for Girls’ Education

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Michelle Obama Launches $200M Effort for Girls’ Education

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What this world needs are powerful women who have a voice. I am pleased by the outstanding efforts that someone like Michelle Obama has put in to help women across the globe as being the First Lady of the free world. If you have a voice that can be heard by many, why not use it to the advantage of the world. Michelle has created movements to encourage to gain women’s rights to education. Considering a large issue the world faces today is the lack of education and rights for women, it is believed that the involvement of those in power will help influence positive change for the future. It is important to show how the effects of popular people can make a significant change and there should be more of this to help endorse a social movement.

H. Ridgwell. (2015, June 16)

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U.S. first lady Michelle Obama has announced new multi-million dollar global programs to get more girls into education. On a visit to Britain, which is also taking part in the plan, Obama described the number of girls who do not go to school as a devastating loss for the whole world.

Students at the Mulberry School for Girls in east London Obama a raucous welcome Tuesday that included singing, dancing displays, and hugs from many of the girls. She may be their hero, but Obama insisted it was her privilege to meet the students.

"I am so proud of your passion, your diligence, your grit, your determination," the first lady said, "and I am beyond thrilled that you are working so hard to complete your education, it is so important."

Obama compared the students' east London neighborhood, one of the poorest and most ethnically diverse in the British capital, to her own working class childhood on the south side of Chicago.

Obama, in Britain to promote her "Let Girls Learn" initiative, spoke with passion about the challenges girls around the world face.

"I just think about how much we are losing when we don't tap into that energy. That there are 62 million girls out there who are just as bright, just as impactful potentially, just as passionate, but who have no voice, no opportunity, no resources to develop into the young women you all will be," she said.

Obama announced plans for $200 million in programs funded by the United States and Britain to promote girls' education worldwide. The first projects will help 450,000 children in the Democratic Republic of Congo get a primary school education. Sierra Leone and Liberia will also benefit.

A statement from the White House said the program is expected to benefit more than 755,000 girls between the ages of 10 and 18 over the next five years. It is set to help enroll girls and boys who are currently not in school; motivate parents and communities to support girls staying in school; and improve materials and teaching methods.

Supporters of the program say helping girls get a quality education can improve the chances to earn a decent living, raise a healthy family, and improve quality of life for families and the community.

Key issue

Girls' education is key to tackling other challenges like poverty and maternal health, says Rocco Blume of the charity Plan International UK.

"Girls have incredible potential to be able to contribute to their economy, to contribute to the wealth of communities, but are often prevented from progressing because in many parts of the world there is gender inequality that prevents girls from being able to access school," Blume said.

The recent focus on girls' education by global figures like Michelle Obama and Malala Yousafzai has driven the issue up the political agenda worldwide, Blume says.

"If you look back at previous years, education was supported regardless of gender. And that meant that despite there being far fewer girls in school, that was not really picked up by donors, by development organizations," Blume noted. "So the fact that we see an understanding internationally that girls really do face these additional challenges, and those challenges are being tackled, is a very positive thing."

Campaigners say the battle to get more girls in school will require a change in attitudes as well as investment. Michelle Obama says she will spend the rest of her time as U.S. first lady fighting for that cause.

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голос америки

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Michelle Obama Launches $200M Effort for Girls' Education

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U.S. first lady Michelle Obama has announced new multi-million dollar global programs to get more girls into education. On a visit to Britain, which is also taking part in the plan, Obama described the number of girls who do not go to school as a devastating loss for the whole world.

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This video sends a powerful message and shines light on girls’ opinions across the world and we can easily put ourselves in the shoes of those who do not have access to education. These women want to learn and they can’t because of the lack in education provided in their country. These are girls who come from nothing because they live in a very poor country. The most inspiring thing is that these girls want to learn and they want to make something of their life even when they do not have much. Their ambitiousness deserves to be acknowledged because everyone can make a difference or a great impact in the world. They deserve to have the same chance that men receive to look after themselves and their families. The government of these countries must consider the rights of all human beings and look after the people of this world.

H. Ismail. (2014, February 23). Women’s Education

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Such an inspirational video to watch as we watch a short news documentary about an 18-year-old women named Malala who opened an all-girls school for 200 Syrian girls. This is inspiring because she most likely was not given education rights herself and instead of dwelling on her life experiences she instead took it and changed it for the generations developing behind her. Malala feels like countries around the world are failing at giving these girls opportunity and she decided to act upon this tragedy. Malala explains that education will only help young children learn to focus on their futures and protect them from the negative sides of the world. This movement to provide education for women is also an act to decrease the number of girls who are forcefully married at an early age due to their religion or the social norm of their country. Enrolling these women in school will encourage them to get their full education first before making the next steps in life such as marriage and having children. Malala’s generation was lost and she only wishes to change the future and find what has been missing.

S.L Al Qasimi, N. Okonjo-Iweala. (2017, March 8th)

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how to achieve the next step in girls' education (opinion)  - cnn

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On Women's Day, take the next step for girls' education

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On International Women's Day, two Commissioners on the International Commission on Financial Global Education Opportunity remind us how girls' education can change the world.

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This photo presents 5 different ways education impacts a young girls life. Both interesting facts, and educational facts.

Sponsor a Girl. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2017, from http://plancanada.ca/because-i-am-a-girl

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This photo is of a young girl holding a sign "right to education." Every young girl around the world deserves an education.