Education charity United World Schools has launched a government-backed campaign to educate and empower 10,000 girls around the world. The UK government will match donations made between 21 April and 21 July up to £2 million to help transform girls’ lives through education in Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar and Madagascar.
Award-winning global education charity United World Schools (UWS) has just launched the Girls Will Be Girls appeal, aiming to help over 10,000 girls from remote and marginalised communities across Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar and Madagascar to get a life-changing education. The UK government will match donations made by the UK public between 21st April – 21st July 2022 up to £2 million.
Almost half the countries around the world have still not reached gender parity in the classroom
129 million girls in some of the world’s poorest places are missing out on an education. Almost half the countries around the world have still not reached gender parity in the classroom. When families can only send one child to school, often it’s a son who is chosen.
High drop-out risk
Even when they are able to get to school, girls are being held back in the classroom by damaging gender stereotypes – told they can’t be too outspoken, too ambitious or too independent. All because they’re a girl. Girls from remote, ethnic minority communities are disproportionately affected. The girls who do attend school are at higher risk of dropping out by the time they reach their teens, due to the risk of child marriage and social stigma surrounding menstruation.
United World Schools are working alongside the UK government to change this. For every £1 UK donors give to United World Schools, the UK government will match their donations by giving £1. All donations will help girls in Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal and Madagascar get a vital education. Match funding from the UK government will be used to help over 10,000 girls in Cambodia and Nepal to get an education, stay in school and achieve their potential.
Educating girls is proven to be one of the most powerful ways to change the world – Dhivya O’Connor, CEO, UWS
Funding will be used to build schools in remote areas, improve hygiene facilities and train teachers in period education and in casting out gender stereotypes in the classroom. United World Schools will also set up Mothers and Girls Groups, so that girls are supported by their community and equipped with the skills and confidence they need to go to school.
Breaking gender barriers
Dhivya O’Connor, CEO of United World Schools, said: “Educating girls is proven to be one of the most powerful ways to change the world; it empowers them to break gender barriers, earn more, choose their own paths in life and have a positive ripple effect on communities, future generations and the environment.
“We are delighted to have the support of the UK government for our UK Aid Match ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ campaign. Together, we will help over 10,000 girls from remote, marginalised communities go to school and show what girls can achieve when they are given the education which is their right.
“With your help, girls will be fearless, pioneering, successful, happy, change-makers… girls will be whatever they want to be.”
The UK government will double donations made before 21st July 2022 to the United World Schools’ Girls Will Be Girls appeal. Just £10 could support a girl to stay in school who is at high risk of dropping out. To find out more, or if you would like to donate, visit www.unitedworldschools.org
