If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
Investing in the health of girls and women is a solution to every development problem. Focusing on this key issue will alleviate poverty, stabilize societies, spur economies and advance the well-being of families, communities, and ultimately, our world overall.
Ruksana lives on the streets of Kolkata, India. Despite this, she excels in school, particularly in mathematics and geography. Photo provided by 10x1...
I have met more than my share of inspiring, incredible women over the last year, the majority of whom have been very young indeed, and they all seem to have a very definite idea of who their role models are. And when I listed a few of them in my head today, I found myself asking the question: How many of these women would be improved by a few extra sparkles?
Universal Primary Education is set as a United Nations Millennium Development Goal, to be achieved by 2015. A great deal of progress has certainly been made, but at 18 months from the target date, we are not on track to meet these goals.
Women are leading the way in so many areas, both on a world-wide stage and as community leaders. Here is a short list of list of women who are accomplishing great things.
After all of the pledges of money and all of the kind words, six months post-Malala, Pakistan is no closer to gender equality in the schools because Pakistan doesn't have an education problem. It has a security problem.
Given these grave challenges, Pakistan's upcoming parliamentary elections constitute a crucial test for its fragile democracy. Will the country's new government be able to address the rapidly deteriorating state of affairs in the country?
It is imperative that we support and celebrate the people who are dedicating their lives to girls' schooling, especially when some of them, like the late Shahnaz Nazli in Pakistan, are literally putting their own lives at risk.
We invest in women and girls because they pay it forward. When you train, mentor and support a woman, you're reaching her family, her community, and her country.
Malala's courage and strength has the power to influence others to use their voices to inspire change; we must not let it go to waste. Our world is not perfect, but our voices, like Malala's, have the power to make a change.
Women and girls around the world need and deserve a just education which will nurture their ambitions. Unfortunately, the disparity in education between girls and boys continues to grow in the third world.
Just as we follow these stories or a presidential race, we should be consistently informed of the need for girls' education around the world.
The world needs more men like Sadullah Sarwari, men who understand that violence against women is a terrible injustice, and that with the power of their voices they can challenge those who perpetrate it and end the culture of impunity.
Elizabeth Fry challenged her nation's moral compass. Understanding that poverty is neither a choice nor a crime, she tirelessly worked to educate women in low-paid jobs, in workhouses, in halfway houses and in prisons.
If we all adopted Malala's attitudes, we'd be much closer to protecting and empowering women and girls around the globe. Yet, here's the great news: we don't have to endure personal tragedy in order to take a stand for equality. Even simple actions can create change.
As a Muslim, I am tempted to blame bad guys among Muslims, but what good will it do to India? Deepen hatred for the Muslims? If I blame Hindus, what good will it do to India? Will it bring harmony or tear up our nation further apart?
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