Pregnancy and childbirth is still the leading cause of death for teenage girls in the poorest corners of the world, and despite all the progress in reducing maternal mortality by 47 percent we have yet to save these young, vulnerable lives.
One of the biggest issues to resolve is child marriage; this is rightly front and center of the first International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, 2012. Girls under 16 are many times more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth than a young woman aged 20 or more. We have to act to stop child marriage now.
That is why the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood has joined the campaign against child marriage and is calling on its supporters to take the lead with one of their recommended actions. At the heart of how we save the lives of young girls is the need to ensure that the health and education systems that can protect them work well. White Ribbon Alliance members and groups in 155 countries are focused on how to ensure that the political commitments made at the top international meetings are followed through all the way to delivery on the ground with proper accountability and measurement.
As director of UNFPA Dr. Babatunde Osetimehin put it:
Our political leaders (especially with regard to maternal mortality reduction in Africa) make commitments, but then it does not translate to what the Ministries of health or youth or gender are doing. And so we need to now make commitments trickle down to inform programs on the ground and ensure actual progress.
What we need now is advocacy for clear plans, advocacy for resources, and we must track resources, track implementation and make sure we evaluate what we are doing.
As we track what is happening for girls and women in Africa and around the world, we must also track who gets to go to school. We know that girls who attend school should have the opportunity for learning and personal development, but these are not the girls who are married off at age 12, 13, 14 years old.
On this International Day of the Girl Child many organizations are pledging their support to help girls stay in school. You can add your support to Plan International's RaiseYourhandNOW campaign and watch the amazing films on girl's education here. To learn more about the link between child marriage and education see the 2012 Out of School, Into Wedlock report and take your own action with the White Ribbon Alliance.
It is time to pledge your support to keep girls everywhere in school learning, and not vulnerable in early marriage and pregnancy.
Sarah Brown is the Chair of the Global Business Coalition for Education, and Global Patron of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood.
Follow Sarah Brown on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SarahBrownUK
Maz Kessler: Don't Just Talk About the Girl. Fund Her.
The complaints about this issue of early marriage fail to address the lack of other opportunities available to girls. The choice is not between good and bad, but between bad and worse. The idea that we can make it all better by throwing money at the problem and creating schools is hopelessly naive.
What enables better living standards is prosperity brought about by capital accumulation brought about by savings and investment of free people. Schools are built like prisons. They teach conformity and "general" education that the kids will often not need or use and often don't want either.
Poor people will often tell westerners whatever they want to hear for money. If they knew how to fix the problems themselves they would have already done it, so it's no surprise to hear that they agree that sending girls to school will save everyone there. It's all group-think.
Right. You're going to go around the world and tell other cultures and societies what to do?
There's nothing wrong with childhood marriage. Been going on forever. And will continue forever.
That condition exist in many Western nations as well, albeit to a lesser extent than in countries with fundamentalist theology. It seems fairly hypocritical to me that we find it necessary to look to other countries for problems with women's rights, when there are so many to be addressed in the US, for instance.
How are you going to change the course of entire foreign cultures attitudes towards women, when you cant even get something as simple and obviuos as maternal leave in the US?
Have a great day!
We need to worry about our own educational system. Their system is their business, not ours.
The Biggest British Event Florida Has Ever Seen at Guy Fawkes Kissimmee
Remember, Remember the 5th of November,
Gun Powder, Treason & Plot
I see know reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot!
When: November 5th, 2012 6pm – 10pm
Where: Champions World Resort 8660 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, Fl 34747
What: Guy Fawkes Night "The Biggest British Event Florida has ever seen!" (2011 had almost 3000 attendees)
For 400 years, bonfires have burned on November 5th to mark the failed Gunpowder Plot...Now we are bringing "Bonfire Night" to the heart of Kissimmee, Florida for a wonderful family festival!
This year's Guy Fawkes Night promises to offer a giant bonfire, the biggest selection of authentic British foods and beers, rides & games, superb fireworks display, music, a competition for the best "Guy" effigy, games, rides, and much, much more.
It's a Bit of British in your backyard, and a lot of fun for the whole family!
6:00pm - 10pm at Champions World Resort
November 5th, 2012
$5 admission adults & children 3 and over – Please bring cash!
407-401-9690 for questions
www.GuyFawkesKissimmee.com
Any women who promotes a belief that women should not have equal rights with men is a traitor to her sex and also to the human race.
Give it a rest.