You’re probably well aware that Friday marks the beginning of Homecoming weekend—yet another opportunity to celebrate our world-renown University and all it has to offer. But what you may not know about Friday is that it is also the United Nation’s International Day of The Girl. While it may not seem like these two events have much in common, they do. They both laud the value of education, but do so in different ways.
Anyone who goes or went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison is well aware of the benefits of getting an education at an excellent school. That, as we Badgers know, is good as any reason to celebrate. But for the millions of girls the U.N. is recognizing during their International Day of the Girl, an education—even a primary one—is out of the question.
For example, last Wednesday, Oct. 9, marked the one-year anniversary of the attempted murder of a 15-year-old Pakistani girl Malala Yousafzai. Taliban assassins gunned her down while she was riding home on her school bus. The reason? She had advocated for women’s rights. Fortunately, she survived and has spent the majority of this last year continuing to advocate for girls’ rights internationally, despite the intense adversity she faces.
Yousafzai’s fearlessness demonstrates just how meaningful an education can be. According to an EFA Global Monitoring Report, more than 66 million girls are out of school, a problem that is most evident in developing nations. Instead of going to schools, girls in developing nations are often forced to work at a young age or become child brides. In fact, in the time it takes you to finish this paragraph, roughly 13 girls under the age of 18 have been forced to marry. These conditions lead to more instances of rape, sex trafficking, genital mutilation and death during pregnancy, among many other problems.
While these facts may seem devastating, there is hope. It has been proven time and again that educating a girl through secondary school opens up countless doors for them. According a study by Barbara Mensch, Susheela Singh and John Casterline, girls who have been in school for eight years or more are four times less likely to become child brides. Additionally, literate mothers are 50 percent more likely to have children that survive past 5 years old, according to UNESCO.
Not convinced? Let money do the talking: The World Bank has reported that for every additional year of education, a girl can earn 20 percent more money during adulthood. The UN contends if 1 percent more of girls in India enrolled in secondary school, the country’s GDP would increase by $5.5 billion.
Our organization, She’s the First, recognizes that an education is a marvelous, empowering thing. That’s why our chapter believes Homecoming and the International Day of the Girl can and should be celebrated together this year.
So, sometime in between watching the Homecoming parade, singing Varsity with your friends, and celebrating another Wisconsin win, take a moment to reflect on your time at UW-Madison and what it took to get here. Because, in the end, we can all appreciate the value of a great education.
She’s the First is dedicated to helping girls in the developing world become the first in their families to graduate from secondary school.
She’s the First is an organization promoting education for women around the globe. If you are interested in getting involved with She’s the First, please send an email to shesthefirstuw@gmail.com, or visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/shesthefirstwisconsin. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
