Make our Voice Count

Many of us struggle as women in this country, at school, at work, in politics, and many other places here in the United States. 100 years ago, we as women were given the right to vote, and since then we have had an improvement of being recognized in our Country. But what about the world, and the other women in other countries?

Many of you might not know the extent of what other women and girls go through in other countries. 736 million people live in poverty across the globe, which impacts a vast majority of women and girls. About 130 million girls are not in school because they are in impoverished countries. Girls are 3 times more likely to drop out of school than boys; these girls are pressured in leaving because of family, forced marriages, or pregnancy.

About 800 women each day die due to pregnancy and childbirth, the risk of dying in childbirth is 47 times higher in Africa than in the United States. Most of these deaths are preventable, but these women are living in impoverished countries that don’t have access to proper health care. And the societies that these women live in do not give women voices, and see them as a 2nd class citizen; many of these women’s jobs are to marry, have as many babies that their husband wants, and take care of the house and children.

There have been several cases where these women and girls have tried to break away from their societies norms, Malala is a great example, however, she had to leave her country because she was not safe there. Many girls do not have these chances to leave their country for a better life.

However, do not feel discouraged, we can help them. We have the power, the voice, and the resources to help these women and provide them with a better future. The non-profit organization that I am interning at provides us with a basic way to help, and it is as easy as contacting congress. We can email and call them to ask them to support The Borgen Projects bills, some of these bills are Keep Girls in School Act, the Girls LEAD Act, and the Reach Every Mother and Child Act. Contacting Congress or even spreading to word can lead to change and help give these women and children a better hope.