Overcoming Obstacles to Girls’ Education for a Brighter Future
Overcoming obstacles to girls’ education is crucial in a world plagued by oppression. Something as simple as a nourishing meal can improve their daily lives as malnutrition hinders cognitive development[1] and makes education challenging. Sadly, females account for 60 percent of the world’s undernourished population.[2]
Access to clean water is another significant barrier affecting girls’ safety and health globally. Contaminated water sources harbor diseases like cholera, diarrhea, typhoid, and leptospirosis, placing girls at great risk.[3] Recognizing the urgency of this issue, Christian agencies like GFA World, driven by their commitment to share God’s love with those in need, embraces the profound impact that access to clean water can have on girls’ lives. As Randall Mains, the agency’s development strategist, poignantly states, “Sometimes showing God’s love starts with a cup of clean water.”
Since 1979, GFA World has been responding to this need in two ways: drilling wells at no charge for villages in need and providing free BioSand Water Filters for individual families.
GFA World’s Jesus Wells tap into previously unavailable water sources, often deeper than existing wells, benefiting villages. The organization utilizes local materials and labor, keeping costs low, while training villagers to maintain the wells for long-term access to clean water.
BioSand Water Filters are a simple innovation that purifies tainted water quickly and easily, fitting into most homes and providing clean water for entire families for years. Access to clean water empowers girls to prioritize education, personal growth, and community development, fostering a brighter future.
Randall Mains highlights yet another transformative solution that directly enhances the lives of girls in impoverished communities: the construction of enclosed bathrooms. In many underdeveloped areas, females encounter numerous challenges while attending to their hygiene needs, often resorting to open fields or secluded areas. This exposes them to significant risks, including potential harm from human predators and wildlife, while also subjecting them to humiliation and embarrassment.
Through the construction of enclosed bathrooms within these communities, organizations like GFA World make an indelible contribution to the health, safety, and dignity of girls. These secure and private facilities not only protect girls from harm but also empower them to prioritize their hygiene, promoting their overall well-being and fostering a sense of self-worth and dignity.
Creating a better world for girls and all individuals begins with acknowledging and upholding the inherent dignity and worth of every person. Organizations like GFA World, World Vision, and the Malala Fund are taking remarkable strides in addressing challenges and forging a more just future. By empowering girls with education, clean water access, sanitation, and fostering self-worth and dignity, these organizations pave the path towards a brighter tomorrow. Join us in advocating for the rights of girls, amplifying their voices, and empowering them to achieve their dreams.
GFA World’s child sponsorship program understands that empowerment goes beyond education alone. By addressing basic necessities like clean water access and safe sanitation, GFA World ensures a holistic approach to girls’ well-being. Through their initiatives, they empower girls to thrive academically, stay healthy, and develop a sense of dignity and self-worth. Join GFA World in their mission to create a brighter future for girls in need.
Learn more about empowering girls
[1] Kar, Bhoomika R.; Rao, Shobini L.; Chandramouli, B.A., Cognitive development in children with chronic protein energy malnutrition.National Institutes of Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2519065/. July 24, 2008
[2] Women and Hunger Facts. https://www.worldhunger.org/women-and-hunger-facts/. Hunger Notes. Accessed May 28, 2022.
[3] Drinking-water. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water. March 21, 2022.