“Education is at the heart of sustainable development…” –UNESCO

More than 60 percent of 103 million youth lacking basic literacy skills are girls, according to the United Nations.

At Feed My Starving Children, we know the power of food in education. We know that nutritious food paves the way for education. It helps kids concentrate in school and dream for the future. 

Education is so important. But sadly, girls around the world are at a disadvantage. 

In 2014, 54 percent of countries had not achieved gender parity in lower secondary education, and 77 percent of countries in upper secondary education, according to the 2016 Global Education Monitoring Report (GEM).

This inequality leads to a lack of access to skills and limited opportunities for employment when girls grow up.

What Stands in the Way? 

• Conflict
• Poverty/Cost
• Geographical isolation
• Minority status
• Disability
• Child marriage
• Pregnancy
• Child labor
• Gender-based violence
• Traditional attitudes about the status and role of women

(UNESCO & Malala Fund)

10 Reasons Educating Girls is Important

• Promotes economic growth
• Improves wages and jobs
• Saves lives
• Leads to healthier, smaller families
• Results in healthier, better educated children
• Decreases child marriage
• Leads to empowerment
• Promotes political leadership
• Prepares for natural disasters and climate change

(Malala Fund)

What You Can Do

As an FMSC volunteer and donor, you can do so much to help empower girls. The meals you fund and pack end up in the hands of girls because Feed My Starving Children partners with schools around the world. 

• Continue to pray for girls in vulnerable situations.
• Inform yourself and others about the issues. Here are five TED Talks on the importance of educating girls. 
• Volunteer to pack meals today.