Ensuring that all girls and young women receive a quality education is a human right, a global development priority, and a strategic priority for Joy for Children-Uganda.
Education plays a
critical role in breaking the cycle of poverty and violence. When girls are
kept in school, they stand a better chance of growing into empowered women who
transform their neighborhoods and nations. Education is one of the best ways to
prevent child marriages and teenage pregnancy.
For many girls in
Uganda, education isn’t just important for a brighter future, it’s critical to
their survival. Yet, girls often drop out of school simply because they can’t
afford feminine hygiene products.
Together, we can change
this. On 9th July we joined our patterners Raising Teenagers Uganda
on a “Hike for a Girl child” campaign on Kalungu rock in Buyende district to
break the stigma around menstruation. The activity also aimed at reducing the
dropout rate by providing sanitary products, teaching girls their value and
igniting their passion for education.
Both individuals and
countries benefit from girls’ education. Better educated women tend to be more
informed about nutrition and healthcare, have fewer children, marry at a later
age, and their children are usually healthier, should they choose to become
mothers. They are more likely to participate in the formal labor market and
earn higher incomes.
A recent World Bank
study estimates that the “limited educational opportunities for girls, and
barriers to completing 12 years of education, cost countries between US$15
trillion1 and $30 trillion in lost lifetime productivity and earnings.” All
these factors combined can help lift households, communities, and countries out
of poverty.
A lack of education leads
to vulnerability. Vulnerability leads to unwanted pregnancy, human trafficking,
sexual abuse, domestic violence, HIV, early marriage and a life of no choices.
When we educate girls,
we educate a whole nation. Because she will teach everyone around her. The
education of girls will result in a better economy and a brighter future along
with enhanced confidence of the girl
Household poverty is
the major cause of girl child drop in primary schools at the household level.
At the community level, girl drop out is largely as a result of engagement in
community work while at the school level, the school costs are the leading
cause of girl child drop out.
Girls the world over
face gender discrimination just for being born a daughter and not a son. A girl’s
education is less likely to be valued, and she’s more likely to be forced into
early marriage, face violence or be stolen by traffickers. Her childhood cut
short her very life and future at risk.
We understand the
importance of education for girl children. We do whatever it takes to ensure
every last child has a chance to grow up healthy, educated and safe – her best
chance for a bright future.
With your help, we can
educate girls who may not otherwise have the chance to learn — changing the
course of their lives, their children’s lives and the future of their
communities.
Joy for Children’s
project: Delay Marriage Promote Schooling for Ugandan Girls aims to reach the most vulnerable children, those left
behind by the world’s progress in child health, education and protection
including girls. Too many girls, because of who they are or where they’re born,
face unique challenges. Together, we will improve girl’s education. We will
reach every last girl, empowering her to grow up healthy, educated and safe.
Free to lead her own life, speak her mind and determine her future.
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/delay-marriage-promote-schooling/
 |
