Our Young Pirates have been sailing the seven seas, studying subjects that make people pause for thought.
Looking closely at gender inequality has given Young Pirates an understanding of both utter unfairness and lost lack of potential arising from young girls’ poor access to education.
Meanwhile, climate change is a huge topic, and strongly related to others, including hunger and access to clean water. More young people are learning why it’s so important to put the planet first, though some said plants could be a lot tastier!
Sadly, the aftermath of the European Championship final saw some England football players being racially abused on social media. In the year after George Floyd’s murder, it’s a timely reminder of how far we’ve come – and the distance left to travel – until racism is eliminated, and people aren’t judged on their heritage, language, skin colour or religion.
Their passion for the subject matter shone through, helping shape some inspiring insights peppered by plenty of facts and figures. Knowing how to craft an argument will no doubt serve them well in future!
The strength of their writing was informed by their willingness to tackle new words during reading sessions, with selected texts promoting good conversations about comprehension. Encouraging young people to fulfil their reading potential is essential to embed a love of books at an early age, which in turn will help them with all areas of their education as they grow older.
-Crewmate Mark
This blog is about gender inequality in education because we think it’s unfair that 35 million girls of primary school age and 37 million girls of lower secondary school age are out of school. Education is important for girls – to help them to do what they want in life and to support them in the adult world. The girls want to achieve their dreams but don’t get the opportunity to get an education and that isn’t right!
Do you really think that boys and girls don’t have the same potential? Is it fair that boys get a better education than girls? Everyone has the right to go to school and be treated one and the same.
Girls are treated differently to boys in some countries
Do you think girls don’t want to go to school? Do you think it’s right that some young women don’t get an education? In some countries, girls are encouraged to leave school by their families, to marry young and become mothers. This cycle will continue if women’s voices are not heard in decision making or policy making processes. Which means men are making most of the decisions. In some countries they do not allow girls to go to school, for example in Pakistan and some countries in Africa. Do you really think it is fair that some girls don’t have access to an education? Do you really think that just because you’re born in one country over another you don’t deserve an education? Girls’ lives should not be controlled or determined by others. Females should go to school and educate themselves, to learn more and be the best version of themselves!
We think discrimination should stop NOW!
Malala Yousafzai
On the 12th of June 1997, Malala Yousafzai was born, she fought for the rights of girls’ education in Pakistan. Malala was shot in the head twice for speaking out about her right to go to school. She ended up spending a month in hospital! She is a courageous, wonderful, intelligent woman who wants to make a change in the world.
Will girls ever be treated the same way as boys?
Child Marriage
In some parts of the world, women are forced to marry under the age of 18. 12 million girls are married before the age of 18, each year, which we think is disgraceful. It should be illegal for girls to be married off as children because they will be denied opportunities in life. We also strongly advocate that women should marry at their own pace and in their own time because 18 is way too young to be making that decision. 650 million girls are married around the world before they even reach adulthood. Would you get married before you were 18? Some girls as young as 15 are married off by their families and have to leave school. It is not fair that some girls cannot finish their education even though boys can.
Gender Inequality in work and pay
Have you ever thought that it is unfair that men have more opportunities than women? Women should be treated the same as men. It is a shame that men sometimes look down on women, when in reality they can achieve a lot. Do you really think that women should be treated differently to men?
Women can work as hard as men. For example, we have female teachers, police officers and leaders. Who can deny that women work just as hard as men, if not more, to make-up for their gender? Only 10 countries have full equal RIGHTS for WOMEN, they are: Belgium, France, Denmark, Latvia, Luxembourg, Sweden, Canada, Iceland, Portugal and Ireland. Can society make a change? Do you really believe that men deserve to get paid more? Around 80% of women are paid LESS than then men. How would you feel if you were being paid less than other people?
Who can deny that girls and women deserve equal rights?
Females contribute to the global economy
Girls’ education strengthens economies and creates jobs. Millions of educated girls, means more working women with the potential to add up to $12 trillion to global growth. Access to education means girls can widen their opportunities and create greater choices for themselves about their future. Why is it important for girls to go to school? Getting a good education will lead to better living standards both for individuals and their families. So, all in all, tackling gender inequality can create a more equal society. Girls can break cycles of poverty in just one generation.
Is gender inequality really too hard for people to cope with?
We believe that everyone should be treated fairly no matter their gender. We should understand that being born a girl can impact your ability to get an education in some parts of the world.
To find out more or support girls in education, please visit: https://plan-international.org
Written by: Khemora, Shamimah, Amina, Mariam, Ana, Tia, Gloria, Tanisha, Flora, L’ajuan, Munir, Khloe, Tais, David, Mohammed, Amos, Bertan, Bart, Ash, Alan, Carmelle, Grazie, Cameron, Abraham, Michael, Faith, Glory, Gabby, Josiah, Zainab, Favour, Lexi, Mollie-Mae, Lizzie and Elsa the pug.
