Image from Malala Fund
“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”
~ Malala Yousafzai
Education is the backbone of progress and empowerment – a fundamental weapon that fights oppression and poverty. However, there are 122 million girls across the globe who cannot access education due to social and economic barriers. The Malala Fund recognizes the power that school can have in protecting a woman’s future as well as her rights, and is dedicated to overcoming these challenges.
While financial burdens are a major contributing factor in girls’ inability to access education, it is rarely the whole story. In places such as Afghanistan, female education is seen as socially unacceptable, to the point where schooling beyond the sixth grade has been banned. Deeply-rooted patriarchal beliefs deem women’s education as a disruption to the desired social order in which females are fully dependent on their male guardians. Depriving a girl of schooling does, in fact, work to this end, as an uneducated woman has no choice but to rely on someone else for resources and a livelihood.
War and conflict are also significant roadblocks for girls in countries like South Sudan and the DRC. Violence within these countries not only depletes educational resources and funds, but also leads to gender-based attacks that make going to school extremely dangerous for girls. Additionally, a general lack of good teachers, materials, and facilities makes quality education even more out of reach.
The Malala Fund is working to tackle these barriers by advocating for policies that strengthen girls’ educational rights. With a focus on Afghanistan, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Brazil, the fund ensures that girls receive 12 years of schooling by challenging discrimination and investing in resources. Through grant-making and advocacy, the Malala Fund is empowering the herspectives of millions of girls who have been silenced for far too long.
And with your help, this incredible organization can continue to fulfill its mission. Visit their website to donate, see how you can support them, or just to learn more about the initative!
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