A number of international unions are petitioning the UN to make sure that No Girl Child gets Left Behind when filling schools. “Jointly lobbying the governments that come together in New York for the 56th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), four Global Union Federations (GUFs) have called for the continued educational empowerment of women, especially in light of the crisis,” the Education International proclaims.
“Governments must ensure that national education plans include adequate strategies and sufficient resources to meet the education needs of rural girls,” says Teopista Birungi Mayanja, the Uganda National Teachers Union’s General Secretary and Education International Executive Board member. “The provision of early childhood education, free quality public education, transitional and special education and vocational training will reduce child labour and increase enrolment and retention of girls in schools. Sustainable funding for education is essential, all the more so in times of crisis. We, as education unions, must ensure that no rural or indigenous girl is left behind!”
But how will this go over in the 50-plus nations governed by some form of Sharia law that generally frowns upon women pursuing an education?
Malcolm A. Kline is the Executive Director of Accuracy in Academia.
If you would like to comment on this article, e-mail mal.kline@academia.org
