Last year, my dear friend Jennifer at Another Jennifer introduced me to Blog Action Day 2013. The topic last year was Human Rights. Both of us are participating again this year, along with hundreds of bloggers around the world.
This year for BlogAction14 we are talking about Inequality.
Inequality is something we discuss regularly in this country. Equal rights for all races, for both men and women. Should illegal immigrants be granted equality?
On my blog, I advocate for those who don’t have a voice of their own. Mostly babies and children, maternal health issues and healthy pregnancies. A fellow blogger at Light Green Stairs wrote about how inequality causes suffering. She wrote about how 800 women die in childbirth every day… and only 5 of them are in wealthy countries. Check out her post.
I considered writing about the gender pay gap and unequal pay for women, since that is a hot topic, but Jennifer covered that in her post today.
In following my theme for advocacy for children, I am choosing to talk about inequality in education for girls.
Save the Children – a nonprofit near and dear to my heart, places a huge emphasis on helping girls around the world have a fair chance at education.
Why is it so important?
Well… per the Save the Children website:
Educating girls results in…
· Healthier, better educated children and grandchildren
· Fewer maternal deaths and reductions in the under 5 mortality rate
· Delayed marriage and better parenting skills
· Improved literacy skills leading to greater economic opportunities
· More skills and knowledge enhancing women’s self-esteem and the well-being of families.
These statistics are scary and sad. These are the kind of stats that result in domestic violence against women, continuation of sex trade practices, higher rates of infant mortality, and so forth.
[Tweet “Educating girls results in fewer maternal deaths & deaths of babies. #BAD2014 via @katbiggie”]
As the mother of two young girls, as a woman myself, this topic matters to me. It should matter to you too.
You can learn more about helping girls receive an education at the Save the Children website. Take part in the conversation with #LetGirlsLearn.
If you are an advocate or an activist and are interested in participating in Blog Action Day, be sure to visit their website and sign up for updates! And be sure to check out the other blogs on the topic of inequality be sure to follow the conversation on Blog Action Day, October 16, with these hashtags: #BAD2014 #Blogaction14, #Inequality, #Oct16
Janine Huldie says
October 16, 2014 at 9:00 amI did see Jennifer’s post today and I agree very important topic to discuss and especially since I have two little girls. I try only want the best for both my girls, but sad that there is still this inequality in education and more for them. I am not sure what can be done, but I am certainly willing to put my voice out there to help this cause for sure.
another jennifer says
October 16, 2014 at 11:58 amThis is a huge topic for me too. We can change the world big time if we simply educate our girls. There are so many stats that back up the fact that investing in women and girls makes a bigger impact…like Girls and women spend 90% of their earned income on their families, while men spend only 30–40%. Or When 10% more girls go to school, a country’s GDP increases by an average of 3%. Love this post!
Chris Carter says
October 17, 2014 at 12:22 pmI’m so glad you shared this Alexa!! THIS is important!!! I just love your passion and how much energy and effort you invest in sharing such important missions…