You have the right to access a high-quality education.
Everyone, regardless of income level or background, should have equal access to a high-quality education. Education is essential to the promotion and protection of human rights. People should not be excluded from education because of their gender or criminalized in school because of their race. STEM education should be welcoming and inclusive to girls and women. Quality education should be accessible no matter where you live.
Here are 3 actions you can take to improve equitable access to education:
- Learn more about the ban on girls’ education in Afghanistan from our sister organization, Stop Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan, and take action by signing their letter.
- Did you know that in the U.S., Black girls are suspended from school at seven times the rate of their white peers? The book and documentary Pushout, by Monique W. Morris, are informative resources about the unfair treatment of girls of color in U.S. schools. Read up on the issue and then send their letter to your school board.
- Women are drastically underrepresented in high school history classes. The campaign to create a Women’s AP US History Class is looking to change this, and they need letters of support from high schools in order to pilot their course. Take action and try to get your high school to write one!
Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says in part:
Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available, and higher education shall be equally accessible to all based on merit.