On the occasion of “Human Rights Day”, the Austrian development organization remembers the 244 million girls and boys worldwide who are denied education.
Vienna (OTS) – “Education is a human right! Every girl and every boy should have access to high-quality school and vocational training and thus have the chance of a future life with dignity.”
emphasized Reinhard Heiserer, managing director of the Austrian development organization Jugend Eine Welt, on the occasion of “Human Rights Day” (December 10). Since its founding 26 years ago, Jugend Eine Welt has supported school and vocational training programs for disadvantaged children and young people worldwide under the motto “Education overcomes poverty”.
244 million children cannot go to school
According to United Nations estimates, 244 million children between the ages of 6 and 17 worldwide do not have the opportunity to attend school. More than 85 percent of illiterate youth live in South Asia and Africa. “The reasons for this are diverse. Often the parents’ financial situation does not allow them to send their children to school. They are needed as additional workers to guarantee the financial survival of the family. Sometimes the school is so far away that regular attendance is not even possible. The situation is quite drastic when, for example, girls of a certain age are no longer allowed to go to school,” Heiserer alludes to the current situation in Afghanistan.
Girls in Afghanistan are deprived of their education
The Taliban regime has banned girls from secondary school education there for two years. After the sixth grade it’s over for her. According to UN estimates, around 1.1 million girls are affected by the educational restrictions. “The girls are not only excluded from daily school activities and important social contacts. As a result of their lack of education, they fall by the wayside, are deprived of their future opportunities and are potential victims of exploitation, abuse or early forced marriages.”, explains Heiserer. There is also the problem that teachers in Afghanistan are forbidden – apart from literacy courses – from teaching specific subjects such as English or chemistry.
Youth One World supports teaching
In order to give girls continued access to education, Jugend Eine Welt supports together with the AKIS cultural association (www.akiseu.org) these teachers and their families. The local partners in Kabul distribute food packages with rice, oil, beans and flour, but also sugar and tea. The women also receive a small amount of cash every month so that they can organize medical care or warm blankets and clothing. In addition, the cultural association has rented a small room for the education of girls. “But caution is advised because the lessons are offered in secret. They shouldn’t attract too much attention. After all, the teachers are acting against official legislation. However, her fear of punishment does not stop her from continuing to live out her true calling – for the future of all girls in Afghanistan.”said Heiserer.
Education overcomes poverty
“Everyone has the right to education”the Youth One World CEO quotes Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “Education is a central prerequisite for overcoming poverty. Denying girls and boys access to education means depriving them of a central human right.” In this context, Heiserer also refers to the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” (Sustainable Development Goals) adopted by the United Nations in 2015. This is intended, among other things, to ensure that all girls and boys complete free, high-quality primary and secondary school education on an equal basis by 2030, that leads to useful and effective learning outcomes (SDG4). “Please take Human Rights Day as an opportunity and help us with your donation. So that we can continue to implement important school and education projects in the Global South for the benefit of millions of disadvantaged girls and boys.”
said the Youth One World CEO.
Further information at www.jugendeinewelt.at.
Youth One World donation account: AT66 3600 0000 0002 4000 | Online donations at www.jugendeinewelt.at/spenden | Donations are tax deductible!
Questions & Contact:
Mag. Thomas Zach, MA
Youth One World | Press and public relations
Tel. +43 664 886 325 74 | thomas.zach@jugendeinewelt.at