Theresa May has reached out for more countries to join the UK in the Girls Education Challenge, to help provide young girls in developing countries access quality education.
At the United Nations General Assembly the UK Prime Minister asked that all countries join the campaign, Girls Education Challenge, to help in the enablement of access to 12 years’ education for women all over the world.
Over 130 million girls around the world are not fulfilling their right to an education and are currently missing out on school. Following this trend, 90% of primary school children from poor/low-income countries are unable to read or write. The Girls Education Challenge aims at inspiring the next generation to lift themselves out of poverty and to transform their countries by simply encouraging women in education.
At the assembly Theresa May said: “By denying girls an education we deny them a voice, we deny them choice, we deny them their future. I am calling on everyone here to join our campaign. To commit to the individual, collective and governmental action that is needed to break down barriers to girls’ education.”
The Prime Minister announced nine UK aid supported projects to tackle the issues surrounding women in education in low-income countries which will support up to 170,000 girls around the world, including 13,000 girls with disabilities.
What is the Girls Education Challenge?
The Girls Education Challenge was launched in 2012 and features a range of projects that will support the world’s most marginalised girls. The project is now in its second phase and is being implemented in 18 countries around the globe, including in Kenya, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan.
In order to tackle the crisis and achieve the education Sustainable Development Goals, the UK Government believes in fully understanding the current global situation and where the gaps emerge. Joining forces with other countries will generate more awareness around the subject and create a more effective and efficient programme for the benefit of girls everywhere.
