Taking action for girls' education
On International Women’s Day 2025, we are taking decisive action to enhance equality of access to quality education for girls from poor, underserved communities. By welcoming more girls into our schools, teaching them relevant academic and vocational skills we are giving them the opportunity to learn about their rights, how to use their voices to participate in society, and how to be advocates for women’s rights in their communities.
#AccelerateAction #IWD2025
Accelerating Action for women
Equality of access to educational opportunity is one of the most powerful actions we can take to accelerate action towards gender equality. This is especially vital in countries where girls are born into poverty in communities that lack access to quality education. When even the smallest cost prevents a girl from going to school, this becomes a barrier to her achieving her potential.
At our schools the children do not have to pay any fees or pay for any school supplies or food. By removing this barrier, girls from the most disadvantaged backgrounds have equal access to quality education and the chance to complete secondary school.
Empowering young women
There is an urgent need to use education to empower girls and teach them about their rights as women. In more traditional societies, women are not afforded the same rights as men. Education is still prioritised for boys over girls. Girls are conditioned from a young age to do domestic work within their families, and are compelled to marry early. This has a profound effect on society, holding back women from earning their own income, and being able to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.
At our schools we remedy this imbalance by developing girls’ talents and building their confidence in school. This prepares them to lead a productive, independent life. These girls are encouraged to help others in their family attain schooling once they graduate, amplifying the impact of their education.
Teaching girls about their value
One of the ways we celebrate the importance of using the girls’ voices is by holding mock elections at our schools. This gives our girls the opportunity to learn about participating in public life. We provide a safe space in school where girls can learn to use their voice and gain confidence and self-assurance. It teaches them that they can be leaders and use their voice by casting their vote on issues that impact them. Girls are empowered with knowledge about their rights. This means that they can be advocates for women’s rights in their families and communities.
Most importantly, we teach our girls that they deserve respect. They learn that they have value in many areas of life and that they can share their value with others.
In the video alongside, Sister Abigail speaks about teaching girls about their rights and how education empowers them.
See how education is transforming girls' lives
Talisay Girlstown
Sister Abigail’s Story
Sr Abigail serves as ‘School in Charge’ at the Sisters of Mary Girlstown (SoM) programme in Kisaware, Tanzania. With 924 girls in her care, her days are joy-filled but challenging. She shared with us the story of her early life, her mission as a Sister and how together they are protecting the rights of the country’s poorest women by providing education.
Philippines
Malou’s Story
We celebrate the resilience and achievements of all the graduates at our schools worldwide and for International Women’s Day we reflect particularly on the achievements of the women who have graduated from the Sisters of Mary schools. Women like Malou.
Tanzania
Happiness’s Story
Happiness was one of the first young girls to join the Sisters of Mary school in Kisarawe and she has thrived in her time at the school.