The United Nations adopted a resolution on December 19, 2011 that declared October 11 as the day of the girl child. This year, they’ve chosen “Innovating for Girl’s Education” as the theme. How awesome is that? For this reason, I’m dedicating my post to this cause instead of posting about a favorite thing of mine today.
We all know the Malala Yusefzi story. This young woman was shot in the head by the Taliban simply because she wanted to go to school. How sad is that? Despite taking a bullet in the head, her spirit refused to die. Today, she’s alive and well, fighting for the cause that almost took her life. I’m impressed by her courage at such a young age. Today the entire world joins in celebrating this cause with the motto “Educate a girl, change the world.”
We often take for granted in the United States and other first world countries that not educating women is the order of the day in third world countries. Even in my parents Ibo culture, A man isn’t considered to be a man unless he has a male child. The sad part is that a lot of cultures believe this to be true. What a shame that such ideology still exists in modern day society.
The account of creation in Genesis in the Bible tells us that God created humanity as male and female. God took Eve from Adam’s side. If that doesn’t prove equality, I don’t know what does. She was created to stand beside him. Don’t get me wrong, I understand that men and women are wired differently. We have different strengths and weaknesses but I believe that God designed it this way to help maintain balance in a relationship and not become an excuse used to oppress women.
I could go on and on about why this cause is so important but that won’t solve the issue. We all have an individual responsibility to contribute to this cause in some way. It’s the only way to stop the archaic way of thinking that women are to be dehumanized. Women all over the world are an integral part of humanity and we have rights!