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Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
Nelly has seen her mother and many women in her community work hard in jobs that are very poorly paid. None of her siblings were able to go to school.
Until 1999, the only schools in the area were for boys. Most girls in the area didn’t attend school because the nearest school was too far away and there
wasn’t a bus or train to get them there. Even with a school for girls and boys in the area, only 15% of the children finish their primary schooling.
Now Nelly is finishing the last year of primary school and she wants to continue her education and become a doctor. She knows that an education is vital
for her future.
Target: To enable girls to attend all levels of schooling in equal numbers to boys.
Around the world, women hold only 16% of seats in national parliaments. 80% of all refugees are women and their dependent children,
and 60% of children not in primary schools are girls. While women perform two-thirds of the world’s work, they receive only 10% of the world’s income.
Long-standing inequalities between women and men continue to limit the life choices for women.
Educated girls have more choices in life about marriage, childbirth and work. A few years of basic education can empower women to make changes:
to send their own children to school, to have smaller and healthier families, and enjoy a higher standard of living. They are also less likely
to be affected by HIV and AIDS.
Aid and development organisations like World Vision seek to promote gender equality and empower women by:
- promoting women's rights and ensuring women take part in the decision-making process in community development projects.
- promoting school attendance for girls and the general education of women.
- helping men and women work together for the future of their children and communities.
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