October 11, 2012 was the first time in history that the UN declared a day especially for the girl child, and as a PCV I was able to take part in celebrating it with millions of girls around the world. This was my first official project at my school that I have undertaken and was a bit flustered to say the least. Plans A and B weren't happening, so I resulted to doing Plane C which was an assembly with all the girls in my high school. There was no guest speaker or anything memorable, but I wanted to do something to commemorate the day even if it was just for a few minutes. At the sound of the ending bell, I called all the girls into the courtyard of the school. I read a few facts about why there was a need for such a holiday, and then I had one of the girls in Form 5 read the proclamation declaring the day.
Here are a few statistics given by the UN about girls around the world:
- ILLITERACY – By 2015, females will make up 64% of the world's (adult) population who cannot read.
- SCHOOL DROPOUT – Only 30% of girls in the world are enrolled in secondary school.
- FORCED MARRIAGE – One in seven girls in developing countries is married off before age 15.
- VIOLENCE – One in 5 high school girls has been physically or sexually abused by a dating partner. Worldwide children as young as age 11 are forced to work as prostitutes. Some estimates have as many as 1.2 million children being trafficked every year.
- BODY IMAGE – More than half (54%) of 3rd-5th grade girls worry about their appearance and 37% worry about their weight. More than half (57%) of music videos feature a female portrayed exclusively as a decorative, sexual object.
Girls in Swaziland
The girls in Swaziland are not exempt from the statistics above. There is a reason why we (PC) are here in Swaziland to help the youth. Aside from the work we do with HIV, gender equality and female empowerment are two of the major focuses here. Plenty of studies will tell you the percentage of girls who are pregnant, have HIV, or both. Statistics can point out how many girls drop out of school and how many girls are sexually abused. But the real assessment of help doesn't come from a list of statistics; it comes from trying to build relationships with these girls.
Last week, while trying to plan my event, was probably the hardest time yet. Then this week while I substituted for one of the teachers, I had even more challenges. The problems I faced weren't due to miscommunication with people, which is inevitable. The frustration I had, came from the confidence levels and attitudes of the girls. Never in my life had I seen so much resistance, self-doubt, and fear. I have to be very careful not to take their attitudes personally. Wanting to celebrate this day for the girls and not having them care at all about it, is enough to make me stressed. From the objectives I have in mind to accomplish here, as well as my daily interaction within the community, I finally have a real idea of what is ahead of me.
Sustainable development doesn't happen by people merely receiving handouts or by being told what to do. Sustainable development also doesn't come into fruition by someone else crossing the finish line. The only way to move this country forward, and other countries like it, is to begin breaking down the strong holds in these people's lives. A person has to realize they need help and want it, in order for it to happen. My hope and prayer is that during my stay here, I will be able to make a change in these girls behavior that have been replicated from generation after generation. I want these girls to know that for once, someone is on their side; that for once they realize that they need to be treated with respect while also treating others with the same proper respect. I want these girls to find their voice and realize that they aren't subject to men and that their future is what they make of it.
I've been fortunate to find some girls in Form 4 who really seem to get it. I want to build them up as leaders and role models in the school. Next year when I start the Girls Empowerment Club, I am hoping to find even more girls who want to come together and encourage each other.
Next up on the agenda… Peer Educator Day (Oct. 25) and World Aids Day (Dec 1). Let's hope my camera doesn't act up again so I can have some pictures for you all to see.
