Girls back to school campaign Angola. Short edition with Sofonie Dala. Day 2

Still left behind - inclusive education for disabled and illiterate girls

Why don't poor parents send their daughters to school?

Usually children go to school from 5 years old in Angola, but a 7 years old Lúcia remains illiterate at home. Lucia is having problems in understanding basic things, at a time when she was suppose to be at school, she stays at home helping her family with the houseworks. We are not sure if her parents will manage to send her to school in the coming years as in this time of COVID-19 pandemic things got more difficult. 

Hi! How are you?

I'm fine thanks.

What is your name? 

My name is Lucia.

How old are you?

I am 7 years old

Lucia do you study?

I don't study.

Why?

My father did not enroll me in school.

Have you ever attended any type of study?

No, never.

Would you like to go to school one day?

No... 

Don't you want to study?

I want to study. 

Have you been following the preventive measures against coronavirus? 

Yes I have been following.

What is coronavirus? 

Hmmm.... 

OK, what are the preventive measures against the coronavirus?

To wash hands with soap and water, use the mask and gel alcohol. 

Lucia what do you do during the day?

I wash the dishes and clean the floor, now I also started cleaning the house, after this I take a shower and then go out.

Where do you use to go?

To play on the streets. 

In response to the question stated above, we can say that parents cannot send their daughters to school because of poverty. So we are left with a world of girls whose lives are blighted, and who will give birth in childhood to a new generation of poor children.

The world knows that the education of girls delivers the highest social and economic dividends to a developing economy. In regions where girls face acute disadvantage, their education has transformative potential.

Don't miss this opportunity to bring girls back to school. Join us! 

Our campaign aims to identify illiterate and girls with disabilities in such a way that it supports building an inclusive society for all. 

The Challenge of Inclusive Education in Africa, shows that disability gaps in education are increasing. We call for urgent action of Ministries of Education and other stakeholders. We need the global political will to tackle this devastating problem that is failing tens of millions of the world’s most vulnerable. 

There are more than 100 million children with disabilities across the world – and in developing countries, 90% never go to school. 

We recommend investment in inclusive schools and classrooms, equity focused planning and monitoring, as well as incorporating the needs of girls specifically in efforts to help disabled people access education.