Photograph: Natacha Pisarenko/AP
Women's rights have certainly made head way since the early 1900's. The world is undoubtedly a better place for women, but we must not be complacent. We must recognize that women's rights are human rights and there lies a long road ahead of us to reach this recognition. To this day, women everywhere are constantly subjected to violence and oppression, denied of basic rights, and are faced with a "barrage of difficulties" due to their sex.
Less than 20% of world's parliamentarians are women
Less than 10% of countries have female head of state
Less than 3% signatories to peace agreements are women
This all comes down to one word, education. Studies have shown that education plays a vital role in women empowerment and is the most effective way to fight global poverty and social injustice. Educating women improves the rights of women in all areas of life. Sure, gender equality seems a little far fetched, and requires shifting of attitudes, traditions, and practices, but this long-term commitment plan for education needs to happen if we want to see change and the betterment of the female population.
Mothers who have been educated are more likely to give birth in health facilities
Girls with post-primary education are 5X more likely to be knowledgeable of HIV/AIDS
But, 30 million more girls than boys are out of school and are stripped of the opportunity
Today, we celebrate womanhood and those who have played a transformative role in paving the path that we have before us. Happy International Women's Day from all of us here at The Borgen Project!
-Georisa Chang
SOURCE: The Guardian
