Tag Archives: malala yousafzai

Sophie Bridger

Opinion: Raise your hand on Malala Day

By Sophie Bridger | Fri 12th July 2013 - 11:59 am

Just under a year ago, I wrote a piece about the shooting of a girl who dared to demand her right an education. Today, that girl will address the UN and meet Ban Ki Moon to discuss access to education worldwide. Today is Malala Yousafzai’s 16th birthday.

Education is a right that we often take for granted in the UK. But millions of children worldwide miss out on an education. Where parents cannot afford to send their children to school, cannot afford for their children not to work, or even when places are provided but they cannot provide the uniform or materials, those children will never have the opportunity to change their lives. They will live and die in poverty.

Girls are more likely to miss out on education than boys. When finances are tight, many families will choose to educate sons but not daughters; sons will go on to work, but if daughters are expected to raise a family and stay at home then educating them is seen as pointless. Often, raising children is something done at school age– in sub-Saharan Africa, 1 in 5 girls is married before the age of 18. Once they are married, they will not return to school as this video shows.

Continue reading »
Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged , , and | Leave a comment
Sophie Bridger

Opinion: we must act to make sure all girls have access to education

By Sophie Bridger | Wed 10th October 2012 - 10:58 am

Yesterday, in the Swat region of Pakistan, a 14 year old girl was shot. Her name is Malala Yousafzai, and she was walking home from school with her friend when she was shot in the side of the head. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the shooting.

The question on all our minds is ‘Why would anyone try and kill a 14 year old girl?’.

Because Malala Yousafzai stood up for something that scares and horrifies the Taliban – she dared to speak out for girls’ right to an education.

Malala was 11 years old when she started writing about life under the …

Continue reading »
Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged , , , and | 6 Comments
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Peter Davies
    Perhaps the reason that none of our MPs is positioning for a leadership chalenge is that most only became MPs two years ago and don't consider themselves ready ...
  • Neil Sandison
    David Allen the deafening silence . its a bit chicken and egg no ones likely to come forward until a leadership contest is announced and they can demonstrate s...
  • paul barker
    For the first time in two Years Reform are not making Net Gains, of the four Seats where they stood before they lost vote share in three. All that fits with Ref...
  • David Allen
    The deafening silence about who might be a good new LD leader tells its own story. A leadership change is a big opportunity for a party to reposition itself an...
  • Neil Hickman
    For good reason, Town Council byelections normally aren't included. But I think the result in Uckfield West is worth noting. Straight fight between the Lib Dem...