MRS. SANDRA NOGUERA - SIXTH GRADE

Today is Wednesday and we can reach Millennium Development Goal #3 by each of us helping empower women and promoting gender equality by 2015!

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

1. Create awareness and prepare for the next International Women's Day on March 8th, 2007. This March you can be like one of the millions of girls around the world that stayed out of school on March 8th, 2006 in protest of gender inequality. http://www.millenniumcampaign.org/site/pp.asp?c=grKVL2NLE&b=186382

2. Here is another United Nations site for kids. The world knows you are the first generation that can see these goals are met. Here is a site where you can find information; whether you know a lot about the MDGs or just a little. There are also e-cards you can download and send to friends. There is even an MDG card game you can play. http://www.takingitglobal.org/themes/mdg/index.html

3. Did you know all kinds of kids from around the world are keeping blogs about the MDGs? Get inspired by reading an action blog on what other kids are doing to reach gender equality and accomplish MDG #3! http://www.takingitglobal.org/themes/mdg/goal3.html

GENDER EQUALITY AFFECTS EVERYONE

Did you know that women make up most of the labor force in the world? They produce 1/2 of the world's food supply and work 2/3 of all the working hours in a week. They also make less money than men doing the same jobs and often find themselves, more so than men, victims of poverty.

There are two times as many girls over the age of 15 than boys who can't read or write. Many countries, do not even allow girls to go to school at all. Some countries force girls to get married as young as 12 years old.

We must hear the voices of these young girls and women. They’re without power in many societies today and have very few chances of getting out of their predicament.

Every single one of the MDGs is linked to gender equality. Gender equality means boys and girls and men and women have equal rights and opportunities. It is thought that if the world can reach gender equality, more than half of the goals would be met as a result. Think about it. Do you think maybe we can achieve more than half the MDGs?

If a woman is educated she is less likely to contract deadly diseases. Diseases like AIDS/HIV. This means, if a woman becomes educated, she will more likely be able to remain a healthy mother. She will be a mom who can send her kids to school rather than needing them to stay home and tend to her, and all the household chores, while she is sick.

She is more likely to be able to feed and clothe her family because she will be given a fair wage and more opportunities to gain better employment.

She is less likely to die during child birth leaving her surviving children alone.

When gender equality is reached the world will be a better and smarter place.