day 9 - number-crunching

Even though I like numbers, math remains one of my most challenging subjects (as if calculus weren’t difficult enough already, let’s add a z-axis!). Don’t worry, we won’t be doing derivatives here – but what do you say we do a little number-crunching?

• An estimated 600,000-800,000 people are trafficked across international borders each year. More than 70% of these victims are women.
• Worldwide, 342,917 women died in childbirth in 2008. Of these deaths, 94% occurred in the 53 least developed nations of the world.
• An estimated 93 million children do not attend school. Of these, most are girls, and of which 80% live in Africa.

What if we could change all of this?

That’s just it: We can. Women’s education is almost a panacea for these problems. A girl is less likely to run away to find work or be trafficked if she is in school. Because an educated female tends to marry later and have fewer children, she is less at risk for dying in childbirth. She can strengthen the economy of her village by owning a business, raising the standard of living; and conditions continue to improve. All this with an education.

Cost of a year of elementary-school education in Africa: $25.
Price of a uniform so a girl can attend school: $40.
Cost of a year of high-school education in Africa: $300. 

Empowering a woman through education so she can earn a living, become a community leader, and be a catalyst for change and education: Priceless.

Janna