Education is a right, not a privilege.
Gender equality is not a women’s issue, it is a human issue.
Education is a fundamental need. It is important to get the education, not just earn a degree or job but to grow as a potential human being. The benefits of getting an education are never-ending. Unlike the society, education is unbiased and provides a world of opportunities to each and every person equally. Most importantly education keeps people informed about their basic rights as citizens of a country and gives them the courage to fight for those rights. But, despite the rapid strides made towards creating a world where education is accessible to everyone irrespective of caste, creed, sex, race and, nationality, there are 66 million girls who still dream of going to schools.
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| photo courtesy: successfullady |
Gender bias is the main culprit. Unfortunately, we live in a world where both men and women and men are equally stereotyped. Women, often considered as the weaker sex are constrained from following their passions and are deprived of their rights in underdeveloped and developing countries.
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| photo courtesy: LinkedIn |
In rural parts of India, one can witness women who have accepted their roles as just housewives and nothing more than that and are incognizant of their rights (even to this day, sadly). Being a housewife must be an option, not an obligation. This is mainly because of lack of education. Sexual abuse, women harassment, low pay at work, eve-teasing, domestic violence and acid attacks are the pests that infest on societies that gainsay women’s rights and education is the only way to get rid of these infestations.
There are a number of organizations all across the world that are striving towards achieving a neutral world where education is not restricted to boys alone like
Educate Girls,
UNICEF,
Camfed,
UNGEI,
She's the First and,
HeForShe etcetera which aim at eradicating gender inequality and promoting girl education.
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| photo courtesy: careeducation |
On this account, it is necessary to talk about the celebrities who have taken interest in these socially prevalent issues.
Michelle Obama
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| photo courtesy: Pinterest |
Michelle Obama is known to the world not merely as the wife of the former president of America, Barack Obama, but also as an avid supporter of girl education and feminism. With education being the primary concern, Michelle leads 7 education initiatives viz. the need for post-secondary education, the necessity of school counsellors, girls education, education for African Americans, art education, healthy school lunches and fashion education.
Emma Watson
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| photo courtesy: Pinterest |
An epitome of beauty with brains, Emma Watson is not just an actress but also a social activist. She has initiated the movement HeForShe which aims at annihilating gender-based dogmas and stereotypes. She has seized every opportunity that came her way to define
feminism as not man hatred but as a belief that both men and women should have equal opportunities and rights.
Malala Yousafzai
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| photo courtesy: quotesaga |
Malala Yousafzai is a women’s rights activist, children’s activist and a noble peace laureate. She has become the voice for Nigerian girls abducted by Bako Haram in 2014 by talking with and urging forth the former Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan to take immediate action against the terrorist group. During the same time, Malala also made a long-term commitment to Girl’s education at CGI.
On the final note, never amid these noises and chaos forget that your voice counts too. Never be afraid to stand up for yourself and fight for your rights.
Written by
Indu Mithra Madhuranthakam
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