As a prelude to the International Day of the Girl, celebrated every October 11 to promote the empowerment of girls and respect for their human rights, young girls from Kinshasa shared their views on the importance of girls’ education.
Bibica Pandi, a schoolgirl at Kabambare High School, emphasizes that education is essential for boys and girls. She says: “School allows us to learn to read and write, which makes us useful to society. I encourage girls to study, because it will benefit them.”
Samantha Kavira, for her part, highlights the link between girls’ education and the fight against poverty: “Sending a girl to school offers her the opportunity to acquire the knowledge necessary to qualify for a profession and build her career. future. Girls’ education is also a lever to fight against poverty.”
Fortune Tshibola underlines the importance of education to promote equality: “Studies are essential. Thanks to my studies, I can realize my dreams, be autonomous and be respected in society. I ask the government to ensure equal educational opportunities for girls and boys.
Aurélie Ngelimbali highlights the obstacles that girls face in terms of access to education: “Many girls want to study, but they face obstacles such as school fees, household chores or begging in the rue. It is essential that the government revisits this issue and ensures equal access to education for all.”
Patricia Kibonge highlights the consequences of girls’ non-schooling: “Non-schooling keeps girls in a lower status than men. An uneducated girl will have difficulty making her voice heard, making decisions and participating actively participate in society. It is essential to provide girls with quality education to break this cycle.”
These testimonies underline the crucial importance of girls’ education for their empowerment, the fight against poverty and the promotion of equality. It is essential that governments and societies put in place concrete measures to ensure equal access to education for all, regardless of gender. Girls’ education is an investment in the future, both for individuals and for communities as a whole.