U.S. Department of State [archived]

Being a School Girl Should Not Be Dangerous Business

One year ago today, hundreds of girls gathered in their village’s sole secondary school. It was supposed to be closed, but a special exception – the national exam to enter college – opened the doors to hundreds of girls in their final year of school.

For them, taking the test was risky – it wasn’t safe to be at school – but it was an opportunity the young women couldn’t miss. The test promised to put them on track to go to college and to give them the opportunity for a career.

Keep reading

(Source: blogs.state.gov)

united-nations:

Marking 100 days since the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Nigeria, by Boko Haram terrorists, Ban Ki-moon reiterated his call for their immediate release, while expressing his full support for the worldwide vigils that took place on Wednesday.

The UN Special Envoy for Global Education, Gordon Brown, urged the international community to stand in solidarity with the kidnapped schoolgirls and “never to abandon them”, while “reminding people that we are in the midst of a global civil rights struggle”.

Read more here.

(via united-nations-deactivated20190)

unicef:

It’s been 50 days. They must be released. They must not be forgotten. Raise your voice for them: http://wefb.it/C3C6CE

Our Outrage Must Be a Call to Action

The world has been transfixed and horrified by the brutality of a group of extremists toward nearly 300 schoolgirls and unnamed others in northeastern Nigeria. The plight of these girls has rightly captured the global public’s heart and mind. For daring to seek an education, these girls and others have become the face of unspeakable violence at the hands of Boko Haram.

Unfortunately, they are not alone. Women and girls in staggering numbers are beaten, sexually abused, married off as children, mutilated, and killed every day around the world.

Keep reading

(Source: blogs.state.gov)

The U.S. is committed to supporting Nigeria with assistance – military, law enforcement, and development – to combat violent extremist groups.

— Under Secretary Sarah B. Sewall, May 13, 2014

whitehouse:

“Let us all pray for their safe return. Let us hold their families in our hearts during this very difficult time. And let us show just a fraction of their courage in fighting to give every girl on this planet the education that is her birthright.” —First Lady Michelle Obama
Watch the First Lady mark Mother’s Day and speak out on the tragic kidnapping of more than 200 girls in Nigeria.

(Source: obamawhitehouse, via exchangealumni)

These girls embody the best hope for the future of our world. And we are committed to standing up for them not just in times of tragedy or crisis, but for the long haul.

— First Lady Michelle Obama in weekly address on kidnapping of girls in Nigeria, May 10, 2014.

united-nations:

“The targeting of children and schools is against international law and cannot be justified under any circumstances,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a statement.
He is deeply concerned about the fate of schoolgirls recently abducted in Nigeria and shares the anguish of the families of the girls and the people of Nigeria at this traumatic time.

He pledges the continued commitment of the UN in supporting Nigeria’s efforts to tackle internal challenges.

(via united-nations-deactivated20190)

whitehouse:

It’s time to #BringBackOurGirls.
Read about how the U.S. is helping Nigeria in the search for those who were kidnapped.

(Source: obamawhitehouse)

Posts tagged with ‘BringBackOurGirls’

Being a School Girl Should Not Be Dangerous Business

Our Outrage Must Be a Call to Action