By Sonia Omar | CEO
March is a very special month for us as it is a time to celebrate women's empowerment. We are happy to coincide our report with that at the start of International Women's Week. This year, the focus is on 'equity' which differs slightly from equality in that it focuses not only on having the same rights, but also the same opportunities.
Access to education is key to equity, as without an education, so many opportunities and rights cannot be realised. We see first hand at EFA what access to education does to uplift a girl. First there is the confidence that she is valued. Secondly there is the growing ambition- daring to dream about a future which is different, better than Mum's.
Access to education is vital, and 21 st century skills are key. That is why we are committed to having computers and volunteers to assist with IT at the EFA houses. We want girls not only to know their worth by having access to education, but to have the confidence to use computers in order to take on any job they want- be that an engineer, business manager or astronaut!
We are proud that, by the time an EFA girls leaves our doors at the age of 18, she has very high chances of pursuing her dreams. An incredible 90% of EFA girls continue onto higher education, many on full scholarships. Their drive and ambition is born from their hunger for opportunities which were not available to their Mothers, Grand Mothers and Great Grand Mothers.
Less choose to go back to the village and marry, but those that do start their married life in a completely new way from their mothers. They are educated, they are more empowered, they have choices and they can become mothers who can pass the values of education to their children and encourage them to walk in their own footsteps. They may also choose to run a e-business from the village, as using technology frees them from the confines of their geographical location.
To read more about the impact of EFA's work in 2022, here is our 2022 Impact Brochure! It is full of inspiring statistics and testimonies.
You will also enjoy this amazing video made by The Evening Standard as part of their 'Let Girls Learn' series.
To celebrate with us during International Women'w Week (6-12 March), follow us on Instagram Facebook or LinkedIn as we share many great interviews and other media throughout March.
You can also double your donations to us on GlobalGiving between March 6-12 on any of our projects (including this one)!
Happy International Women's Week and warm wishes and thanks from all of us,
The EFA Team, House Mothers and Girls
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