62 Million Girls

School has taught me how to think on my own, provide arguments for decisions I make, and a foundation for the future schooling I will need to become a pediatric oncologist. 62 million girls around the world don't have that chance.

62 Million Girls is an education initiative launched by President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama. It's mandatory and should be a social norm that every girl, and child, get an education. With an education, girls are more successful in life, are able to earn a better living, and raise healthy and successful families. Without an education, girls are most susceptible to HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, and forced marriages.

Let Girls Learn is associated with the Peace Corps. They push for education for girls around the world and ensure a commitment to providing educational supplies and necessities to these young girls, who need it most.

The first step to providing education is to empower leaders. These volunteers are the key to education. They are able to raise gender awareness and increase interaction among different ages. These volunteers will help to get girls excited to learn. I fear that many of these girls have been told that education isn't for them, they've probably been tricked into fearing education. This makes me so incredibly sad.

The second step is involving the community. The community in which these girls live has the highest impact on them. Children follow by example. We follow what our parents do, and what they say, which has a huge impact on our development and overall personality.

The third step is increasing the number of volunteers. Volunteers are what makes this whole movement for educational equality possible. Without volunteers, Let Girl Learn would not be where it is today. We need to get rid of the barriers and fences that hold girls back. We need to empower them to be the best possible person they can be.

I have hope and believe in the project because of the many supporters it has. Search the hashtag 62milliongirls on twitter and you will be amazed. Support, from people all of the United States and the world supporting the necessary movement in equality. Celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Dianna Agron, Usher, and Kerry Washington have tweeted their own stories of education and how 62 million girls deserve the same chance they had.

Some individuals hindering female education say it only benefits women, and will ruin home life. How can education of more girls ruin home life? I can only see the positives. A higher quality of life for families, better job opportunities, which increase income. It doesn't only benefit women, and even if it did, so what? Women have been held back for eternity, subordinate to their husbands, and often getting the short end of the stick when it comes to civil rights and liberties. Education will provide these girls with the gift of thinking on their own, and being their own person.

stay peaceful (and educated)!!