The part of the story that most intrigued me was about the village girls and the education they lack because of their culture and "role" as women. The article said it better than I can....
The United Nations hopes to bring the number of girls being educated up to the level of boys by 2015. Malawi [in southern Africa] has seen some success since free primary education was introduced there about 12 years ago.
But challenges remain. Many girls who complete elementary school can't afford high school, which isn't free. So they drop out because they see no hope of fulfilling their dreams -- of becoming doctors, teachers, school inspectors ... and even presidents.
During my walk through Malawi's tiny Mnjolo village, the little girls kept running up behind us, touching our clothing and giggling. I thought something was wrong, but when I asked, Kalichero, she told me that they were touching us with the hope of being like us. "They see us as powerful women, as role models," she told me with a smile. Then she pointed out that it was only girls and not the boys following us around.
All over the continent, the goal of gender parity in education is lagging, with severe consequences for eradicating poverty. Some blame a lack of political will; others cite resources or a combination of the two.
This is not a trivial issue. The horrific tragedies that young girls in Africa are subjected to everyday makes these education injustices all the more palpable. Poverty is directly correlated to high childbirth rates. High childbirth rates are moderated by education, access to contraceptives, and being free from human rights abuses (i.e. rape). These girls are never given a chance. They are subjected to a life of continuous poverty from day one, with no hope to ever transcend this sentence. That makes my blood boil. This vicious cycle is nothing if not abominable, disgusting, and heinous.
Another segment from the article really touched me...
In the end, however, there is widespread agreement that the most fundamental way out of poverty for women and girls is education. It's often said in Africa if you educate a man, you educate an individual, but when you educate a woman, you educate a nation.
The reason?
This was the part I found so fascinating and inspiring. Women are able to see past all these tragedies and press on. So it's women being empowered by education. Educated women just have much more to contribute to the country that they are in, as well as the continent. So that's why it's so important.
Because educated women see to it that their children are educated and when their children are educated, they become contributing members of the society. They're much more aware. They're much more likely to advocate for things, including their own human rights, which are still being abridged broadly throughout the continent when it comes to girls.
I am saddened by the fact that women have been suppressed for so long and seen as commodities to be traded to the highest bidder. I am saddened that 55% of women in sub-Saharan Africa are living with HIV or AIDS and that the rate is much higher for women than men because of involuntary transmission. I am saddened that the world outside of Africa turns a blind eye to this and the widespread belief seems to be "well, we can't help everyone."
At the same time, I am hopeful and empowered to act on the behalf of women in Africa. I am not going to forget about this and I will find ways to help, donate my time or money, and raise awareness wherever possible. Because, after all...
... hope lies in the women on the continent who are finding voices for their aspirations, especially through women's movements like the Foundation for African Women's Advancement. And they are bolstered by the emergence of women leaders -- still small in number...
The full article is available at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5634432
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