Educating Women

Growing up in Saint John, I was fortunate that I had a loving family, a stable home and a good education. It wasn't until I was an adult that I really felt like I was being treated differently because I was female; in my life, I hadn't ever experienced it.

Yet in many parts of the world, including our own progressive country of Canada, women are treated less than their male counterparts. In many developing countries, most in fact, girls work while boys are offered what little education opportunities may be available. And on the surface, it seems harmless. In truth, by keeping girls home and working, undereducated, the conditions and poverty of their lives are less likely to improve.

That is, if an effort is made to educate girls in developing countries, to promote education to women in our country as well as others, poverty can be greatly reduced. Fertility rates drop, girls have fewer but healthier babies. Coupled with this is a decrease in mortality rates for both mothers and their children. Women who are educated have smaller families but are able to offer the healthier futures.

Educating women reduces their risk of HIV transmission. Right now in parts of Africa, young adult women are the fastest growing group of new HIV infections. How frightening is that? Yet by educating women they are in greater control of their own bodies are have the knowledge to help prevent deadly STD transmission.

Girls who receive an extra year of primary school can expect up to 20% better wages than girls who do not. Adding an extra year of secondary school could add an additional 25% to that. Wage increases benefit the family and the community.

And of course, investing in the education of girls now is also an investment in the education of future generations. Women are more likely to share their knowledge with other women, their children, and others in their community.

One of the reasons I am so excited about helping at the Koseli school is that they actively try to recruit girls; if they find a family with boys and girls, they try to enroll the girl first. They want to take everyone possible, it when restricted, they make an effort to take the girl. Which I feel very strongly about.

Just a few thoughts on the power of educating women.

Namaste, friends

Laura

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