This past winter, I have been exploring the educational divide for girls worldwide.
Notably we have been exposed to the drama of Malala Yousafzai’s life with her near assassination, and her book “I am Malala”. This book along with others such as “Infidel” by Ayann Hirsi Ali, and “ The Ascent of Women” by Sally Armstrong, are exposures of the continuing efforts taken by women around the world to obtain fundamental human rights, such as access to education, the right to choose when to be married, and the right to have a childhood - to name a few.
After seeing the documentary “Girl Rising”, I had my eyes opened by a local friend who commented on how her adopted daughter had to deal with very similar issues as a First Nations girl. This confirms again that these disparities, based on gender, exist in our own neighbourhoods.
Some questions to ask (we invite you to leave your responses in the comments section below):
Can we be proud of the educational opportunities we offer girls in Canada? Why or why not?
Are girls and women in your own community able to live full, abundant lives? Why or why not?
In terms of its treatment of girls and women, how do you think Canada performs in other countries where it mines, buys goods, and interacts with leaders?
I recommend the above books mentioned at the beginning of this post, and the documentary "Girl Rising". You can also see movie online: http://www.movie4k.to/Girl-Rising-watch-movie-5184448.html
Explore the Girl Rising campaign (educational materials, etc.): http://girlrising.com/
By Sheila Dobie
Notably we have been exposed to the drama of Malala Yousafzai’s life with her near assassination, and her book “I am Malala”. This book along with others such as “Infidel” by Ayann Hirsi Ali, and “ The Ascent of Women” by Sally Armstrong, are exposures of the continuing efforts taken by women around the world to obtain fundamental human rights, such as access to education, the right to choose when to be married, and the right to have a childhood - to name a few.
After seeing the documentary “Girl Rising”, I had my eyes opened by a local friend who commented on how her adopted daughter had to deal with very similar issues as a First Nations girl. This confirms again that these disparities, based on gender, exist in our own neighbourhoods.
Some questions to ask (we invite you to leave your responses in the comments section below):
Can we be proud of the educational opportunities we offer girls in Canada? Why or why not?
Are girls and women in your own community able to live full, abundant lives? Why or why not?
In terms of its treatment of girls and women, how do you think Canada performs in other countries where it mines, buys goods, and interacts with leaders?
I recommend the above books mentioned at the beginning of this post, and the documentary "Girl Rising". You can also see movie online: http://www.movie4k.to/Girl-Rising-watch-movie-5184448.html
Explore the Girl Rising campaign (educational materials, etc.): http://girlrising.com/
By Sheila Dobie
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