‘#62MillionGirls don’t have that chance’ deserves support

Mental Matters
By Dr. Jennifer Goble

Michelle Obama on “The Late Show with Steven Colbert,” spoke of her new campaign to raise awareness of the 62 million girls around the world – half of whom are adolescent – who are not in school.

The First Lady asked supporters to post photos of themselves on Twitter and Instagram like this: “In school, I learned ____. #62MillionGirls don’t have that chance.” The photos will be posted on 62milliongirls.com to highlight the number of girls who aren’t receiving an education.

I loved her idea.

I did it myself…I took a selfie and posted on Twitter: “In school, I learned everyone has potential, even me. #62MillionGirls don’t have that chance.”

I have always been an advocate for girls’ education, and on a recent United States vacation I was very disturbed by the many communities where religion prevented education past eighth grade.

Taken directly from www.whitehouse.gov: “When girls aren’t given the chance to realize their potential, the whole world loses out.

“To educate a girl is to build a healthier family, a stronger community, and a brighter future.

“….We know that countries with more girls in secondary school tend to have lower maternal mortality rates, lower infant mortality rates, lower rates of HIV/AIDS, and better child nutrition. But too often, a girl who could change her world for the better is locked out of that future by the circumstances of her birth or the customs of her community. We know that a girl with an education can shape her own destiny, lift up her family, and transform her community.”

It saddens me to know 62 million girls are denied the right to an education, many of them in the United States.

My dad did not want me to go to college, saying, “It’s just a waste of money. You will just get married, have kids, and never use it!”

I was able to prove him wrong, but all girls don’t have the opportunity of loans, work study, and supportive moms.

I also knew that boys could get married, have kids, AND go to school. All girls don’t have the freedom to rebel and push the system like I did.

There is far more to this initiative. To learn more, Google “Let Girls Learn,” “62milliongirls.com,” and “Girl Rising.”

I’m in!

How about you?

P.S. Great school club project?

Until the next time: Live while you live!

(Jennifer Goble, Ph.D. is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Check out her book, My Clients…My Teachers and her weekly blog at www.jennifergoble.com.)

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