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Program Theme for 2008: EDUCATION FOR GIRLS

In keeping with its mission to empower women globally through education, friendship and mutual support to secure a better world, WG-USA is launching its first theme, “Education for Girls.” We will address education for girls, especially in developing countries. We invite all members to send their ideas.

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This topic will accomplish several objectives in addressing Education for Girls:

• Gather statistics to show girls’ education globally.
• Inform others in the United States about girls’ education in developing countries.
• Link people with ways they can make a difference for girls around the world.
• Connect with National Affiliates of the International Federation of University Women who are working on education for girls in their home countries.

We are asking members spread the word about this important issue.
Do you have ready access to data concerning education for girls in developing countries that we can utilize? 

Are you connected with other organizations with whom you might collaborate around girls’ education? 

Do you know of organizations for which we might provide links that are working on education for girls? 

Do you have contacts with women in other National Affiliates of the International Federation of University Women that may be addressing girls’ education within their countries?

By joining other groups focusing on education for girls we hope to truly make a difference around the globe.  The current themes of these other groups formulate a compelling directive.

• At the International Federation of University Women’s triennial conference in August 2007, Manchester, England the young members’ caucus passed a resolution which mandates that the Federation establish its own working group on girls, emphasizing education. Subsequently, the International Federation board’s strategic planning in Geneva included a call for action and advocacy regarding education for women and girls.
   
• At the 2007 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women meetings, the theme of Ending Violence and Discrimination Against the Girl Child brought forth numerous propositions, culminating in the statement that many of the difficulties that girls face worldwide can be alleviated through education.
   
• Goal 2 (Achieve universal primary education) and Goal 3 (Promote gender equality and empowerment) of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals require education for girls in order for these goals to be realized. 
   
• The critical areas of concern of the Beijing Platform for Action specifically address The Girl Child (L).  Critical areas A-K refer to women.  However, all the critical areas can be influenced through the education of girls in preparation for womanhood.
   

Representatives of the International Federation of University Women have participated actively in the leadership and efforts of the Working Group on Girls committee within UNICEF.  Together, the 90 plus Non-governmental Organizations have studied education for girls and have produced a platform and fact sheet on their findings.  In addition, they produce a newsletter , Action for Girls.

What other themes would you propose and what can you contribute to Education for Girls? Your experience and connections can make a difference. Please contact program@wg-usa.org.

Let us work together and collaboratively to advocate for girls’ education. 

Contact: program@wg-usa.org

January 29, 2008

Attachments
Millennium Development Goals [MS Word]
Beijing Platform for Action Critical Areas [MS Word]
Platform and Fact Sheet on Education for Girls [MS Word] by the Working Group on Girls Committee of UNICEF