Advocating for Girls’ Education in Africa

"Achieving universal primary education is a priority for the Commonwealth since half the 115 million children out of school currently live in Commonwealth countries."

More than 150 leading businesswomen and professionals based in London, UK, joined best-selling author and award-winning journalist, Allison Pearson, to mobilise public support for girls' education and women's empowerment in Africa.

The 'Focus on Success' event, which builds on the wave of public interest and concern for Africa, took place at the Commonwealth Secretariat in Marlborough House, London, on 8 June 2005. It was jointly hosted by the Social Transformation Programmes Division (STPD) of the Secretariat, the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) and the 'Evening Standard' newspaper. CAMFED is currently running a number of programmes in support of girls' education in selected Commonwealth countries such as Ghana, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia.

Ms Pearson, author of the book 'I Don't Know How She Does It', commented on the role of the girls and young women in Africa, saying: "If you educate a girl, you educate a community. If you want to make poverty history, you let women play a role."

At the 'Focus on Success' event at the Secretariat, the challenges of the girls in Africa to access education, and the opportunities education presents in driving development forward, were presented to prominent women lawyers, bankers, media executives, business leaders, politicians and educationalists. They were invited to offer their networking skills, expertise and financial investment to benefit thousands of children and young women in Africa.

This event formed part of a regional advocacy programme for investment in girls' education, which serves as a major contribution to the United Nations Girls' Education Initiative (UNGEI). The 'Focus on Success' event targeted African and UK policy-makers and development agencies.

Khadijah Fancy, CAMFED's Director, said the Campaign is delighted with the opportunity to partner the Commonwealth Secretariat and work together under the UNGEI umbrella to promote and invest in girls' education. She stated: "This event is about women working for women. We hope to capture the imagination of successful women in the UK and inspire them to invest in girls' education, giving young women and girls in Commonwealth countries in Africa the chance of a better future. There needs to be more action and less talk about getting girls into school. We need to make a long-term commitment to girls' education, otherwise there is no hope of tackling poverty and disease."

Ann Keeling, Director of STPD, said: "Achieving universal primary education is a priority for the Commonwealth since half the 115 million children out of school currently live in Commonwealth countries, and the majority are girls. We support the work of organisations such as CAMFED that are making a real difference on the ground, and enabling girls from poorer households to take up their right to education. Educating girls is the best weapon we have against poverty, maternal and child mortality, and HIV/AIDS in Africa. We hope that the girls supported by CAMFED will go on to become politicians, judges, captains of industry in their countries, and bring about lasting social change."

A photo exhibition celebrating the achievements of young African women and the transformative power of education were also on display at the 'Focus on Success' event. The 22 pictures were drawn from Ms Pearson's book, depicting young African women and girls from extremely poor families whose lives have been transformed through education.

 

CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 238, 8 June 2005

Key Links:

• Gender
• Education

Related News:

• CAMFED