What does International Day of the Girl have to do with Framework International?
Everything!
"Our time is now—our rights, our future"
2022 International Day of the Girl Theme
This day, October 11, was recognized by the United Nations 10 years ago as a day that “promotes the empowerment of young girls everywhere, while also advocating for the attainment of their basic human rights, like education and bodily autonomy.”
When thinking about the meaning of this day, I couldn’t help but remember the school commissioning at Kwaman Primary School and the play the kids put on for us as part of the celebration.
This play had such an important message – which is perfect for a day like today – that I want to share it with you again.
A young village girl and an “old” man meet in the village center.
The “old” man approaches the young girl and tells her: “I have money and I want you to be my wife.”
He gives her a small handful of money. The young girl, intrigued, looks at the money and counts it. She then throws it down, denying his proposal.
The “old” man, not to be discouraged, leaves and comes back and presents her with an even larger amount of money.
Once again, the young girl looks at the money and throws it away.
At this rejection, the “old” man jumps up and down, pulling up his britches, shaking and causing all sorts of ruckus. This young girl … he wants her for his wife!
So he comes back with an even larger handful of money and presents it to her.
She looks at the money, which is probably more money than her entire village earns in a year, and shouts at the “old” man, “NO! I want to go to school!” throwing down the money and stomping away from him.
When the young girl shouted, “NO! I want to go to school!” the entire village cheered!
Having access to school is a basic human right – giving girls and boys a hope-filled future! And this is especially important for young girls, who without an education, could be lured by “older” men purchasing their lives.
Our time is now – to help young girls receive their right to an education so they can have the future of their choosing.
Thank you for supporting Framework and for supporting life transformation through equal access to education in Ghana through the building or renovating of their schools.
Yours in empowering Ghana’s youth,
Seth Prickett
Framework Founder and Board Member
P.S. In Ghana, if there isn’t a school in a village, girls aren’t able to go to school as they are needed nearby to help with mid-day chores. You’re helping to correct this inequality by partnering with Framework in building schools in rural villages – giving girls an equal chance for an education.
