International Day of the Girl & Culture-Based Education

It's still #InternationalDayOfTheGirl in parts of the world. Declared on October 11, 2012 by the United Nations, it is a day to celebrate little girls, to raise awareness on the importance of their education and gender equality.

Did you know that there are 1.1 billion girls in the world? And positive female role models in the media can help women become more ambitious and assertive and even help them leave abusive relationships: As described in a 2016 press release, this was based on a survey of 4,300 women in nine countries (Brazil, China, India Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Russia, Australia, the United Kingdom and the U.S.). Over half of respondents (58%) related that female role models inspired them to be more ambitious or assertive with one-in-nine (one-in-four in Brazil) indicating that positive female role models had given them the courage to leave an abusive relationship. (Source: Forbes - March 2018)

According to the World Bank, the return on one year of secondary education for a girl correlates with as high as a 25% increase in wages later in life. For each additional year of a mother’s education (a child's direct role model), the average child attains an extra 0.32 years, and for girls the benefit is slightly larger. (source: www.globalpartnership.org)

Filiology is an advocate for culture-based education of the indigenous youth so that they continue on with the legacy of their heritage while learning to thrive in an increasingly global environment.

Much love to the young girls we have met along our journeys and their mothers, aunts and grandmothers who have been powerful advocates for change. It is an honor to be part of your amazing work.