Africa for her

As the YALI Network kicks off #Africa4Her, we’re looking at some of the biggest issues facing women in sub-Saharan Africa today. The YALI Network is part of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), an effort by President Obama to encourage young African adults to become active in business, community organizing and public management.
A report by global investment and banking firm Goldman Sachs found that bringing more women into the labor force has the potential to boost a country’s per capita income by an average of 12 percent by 2030.
The same research showed that women use their earnings to buy goods and services that improve family and community welfare, which in turn creates further economic growth.
One of the biggest challenges facing girls in where I live is literacy and functional education. Many young girls are not given the opportunity to develop literacy at the same pace as their male counterparts. Many girls are made to believe that their ultimate purpose in life is to get married and have children. I constantly meet women who brag about and celebrate marriage as if it is the greatest achievement a woman can make. The Nigerian society especially in the northern parts, does not encourage women to advance their to the highest intellectual potential.
The YALI network has set out the month of March to kick start the #Africa4Her program aimed at stimulating public interest and action in empowering women. As stated on the YALI site:
Some people call it “empowering” women and girls. We call it “investing.” That’s because each action you take to increase a woman’s access to equal opportunities in the workplace, a girl’s access to equal opportunities in the classroom, and steps you take to eliminate the scourge of gender-based violence benefits the community, country, and continent.
#Africa4Her is a Network-wide initiative to spur awareness and positive action around women’s issues.

I have resolved to champion girl child education, beginning from my classroom. I would produce leaflets and and print outs to motivate girls and women look beyond just settling for marriage or making their plans around men. I will mentor young girls to grow into independent women.
You too can do something:
There are many ways you can participate in #Africa4Her:

Promote girl child education.

• Make a pledge to invest in women and girls in your community and help raise awareness by filling out the form below or by visiting yali.state.gov/pledge. Once you make your pledge you will receive a personalized graphic with your name and pledge to share with your friends on your social media platforms.
• Get creative with YALICreatives and submit, photos, art, videos or music that help tell a story of inspiring women and girls or individuals working with them in your community. Find more information at yalicreatives.com/africa4her/.
• [COMING SOON!] Take our new YALI Network Online Course, Understanding the Human Rights of Women and Girls and earn a certificate. Once you have taken the course go out and educate your community by hosting a #YALILearns event and then tell us about it here.

Change starts with you, pledge to invest in women and girls today!