All over the world, women and young girls face challenges with equality and freedom. Countries around the world are continuing to bridge the gap and bring equality for all. Unfortunately, some countries are finding this more difficult than others. The result is young girls are in danger because they have not learnt the basic skills others take for granted. Here are 7 of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a small girl.
Somalia
In Somalia, the chances of a young girl getting an education are the lowest in the world. Around 95% of the poorest girls, aged between 7-16 years old, have never been to school. Once a girl reaches 17, her chances for education do not improve as girls are expected to marry. Girls between the ages of 17-22 years of age may have been lucky to receive a few months of school over the course of her life. Many factors have made education difficult for the young women. The education system in Somalia collapsed after the civil war in the 90’s when schools were destroyed. Extreme poverty, famines, and crops failing due to drought have forced families to send their daughters to work. Over 6 million people live on less than $2 a day, and 4 million families live on less than $1. The culture of Somalia tends to favour men and boys, so if there is an opportunity for education, it will be given to the males.
Niger
Niger has tried to improve the education standard for children since the new government came into power. It is now compulsory for children to attend school for 6 years. Despite this, less than 30% of children attend, and girls do not get to attend as much as boys. Only 40% of the children who finish school are girls. Around 78% of young girls receive no formal education. Those girls that do get to attend school are often pulled out to work and never get to return. Years of droughts and famines have left many people living in poverty. Poorer communities rely on farming to survive and use the girls to help. Most girls are removed from school at harvest or planting times. In the north of the country, there are nomadic tribes and communities. The young girls who live in these communities have no access to schools.
Liberia
Two civil wars have left Liberia with economic instability and 85% of the population living in extreme poverty. Governments that have been in power since the wars ended have been corrupt. Around 89% of the population has had to pay a bribe at some point to receive protection and help from the government. The recent outbreak of Ebola caused further problems for the economy. Education is compulsory for children aged 6-16 years and some schools are free, but children rarely attend. There are schools across the country which charge for tuition but many families cannot afford the fees. Girls are often needed at home to work. Around 77% of young girls never receive an education. One of the biggest problems is the lack of qualified teachers and supplies for schools. During the civil wars, the schools and children were attacked. Schools were destroyed and many girls are afraid to return to school. Recent projects have seen older girls returning to finish their educations.
Mali
In recent years, Mali has seen a conflict in the north of the country. Mali offers free, compulsory education for children aged 7-16 years old, but many do not attend. Around 75% of young girls receive no education. Although the education is free, many parents can not afford to send their children. School supplies, uniforms, or extra fees are extra costs which people cannot afford. In rural areas, there are few schools available, limiting education further for girls. As the girls get older, the chances for education become less. Gold mining and cotton farming are the best ways for the poorer families to earn money. A lot of girls feel pressured into leaving school and going to work to help provide for the family. Some young girls are sold into slavery for farm labour, prostitution or face arranged marriages. Although slavery is illegal in Mali, prostitution is legal. Marriage before the age of 15 years old is legal with a parent’s consent.
Burkina Faso
Girls from as young as ten years old often leave their rural villages and go to the larger cities. The promise of working as a domestic servant for richer families is enough to make them leave school and their family. These are girls are unprotected and open to being exploited. Arranged marriages are commonplace in Burkina Faso, and girls as young as 13 years old are often married off by their families. Girls are legally allowed to marry at 17 years old. They are often pulled from school because their parents have arranged a marriage. These type of marriages are illegal but attempts to stop them have been difficult. Girls are regularly taken against their will and married within a day. Around 71% of girls have no access to education. High school costs approximately CFA 25,000 ($50 USD) per year and many families cannot afford the high cost. Boys of the family are given preferred treatment and continue further through school.
Guinea
This West African country was the centre of the recent Ebola outbreak. Poverty, poor education, and low sanitation allowed the outbreak to spread into neighbouring countries. But the Ebola outbreak is not the only problem facing young girls. Malaria, malnutrition, and HIV/AIDS are all major health problems in the country. Literacy rates are low for adults and around 68% of young girls have never been to school. Most girls are kept at home to help with farming or with domestic tasks. Guinea has the highest rate of child marriages in the world. Young girls find themselves placed in arranged marriages against their will. It’s believed that over 50% of young brides are married to older men with multiple wives. This practice is due to financial or religious beliefs.
Pakistan
The Middle East has been a difficult place for a young woman to live for some time. Religious beliefs and war have continued to be a danger to young girls. Pakistan is one of the fastest growing countries with advances in technology and export. Yet young girls are still exploited. Support groups have been set up to help young girls and prevent them from being recruited by violent extremists groups. The Taliban have attacked rural areas of the country. Many young girls refuse to allow the threat of violence prevents them from getting an education. Many of them pay this price with their lives. Less than 3% of the countries budget goes towards education despite school being required by law. The government spends most of its budget on the military but cannot protect the rural areas from attacks. Around 62% of young girls do not get an education. That’s around 3.5 million girls.