Because I Am A Girl

Just wanted to share a website and report that Bec and I recently discovered that really resonates with us and the justification for Mitrataa's work in Nepal.

The site is part of Plan International Australia and is called 'Because I am a girl'.

The site proves interesting reading as it includes loads of information on the justification for investing in the education of girls and women. It also has a page dealing with the question 'what about boys'? This is a question I face a lot when giving presentations and unfortunately it is one of the most difficult to answer. Unless you have visited a country such as Nepal and seen the gender discrimination that is endemic in every aspect of society it is very hard to imagine.

The 2009 report on the site is also interesting reading. It gives a lot of information and statistics and the current situation with some surprising and disturbing trends. For example, in some places affected by the global financial crisis, 7 out of the 10 workers laid off are women! The trickle-down effect of this situation is obvious.

As always, we believe education is the best long term solution for these challenges and that is what we will continue to do. All evidence points to the fact that educating women and girls increases the likelihood of them educating the next generation as well as taking better care of their families and contributing to local economies. Mitrataa runs 2 programs specifically targeting education of women and girls:

1. Dream Catchers - scholarships for girls to attend school; and
2. Daisy Chains - literacy, business training and micro-loans for women.

Please do get in touch to find out more, contribute, or become involved.