buildOn celebrates International Day of the Girl Child

Today is the International Day of the Girl Child. Before breaking ground on a new school, every member of the partnering community, both men and women, must sign the buildOn Covenant. Within the Covenant the community promises to send boys and girls to school in equal numbers.

Gender equality is an important focus for buildOn, and through education, women and girls in many rural villages are given their first opportunity to become educated and contribute meaningfully to their communities. We provide opportunities for women in the Project Leadership Committee- a team of up to 12 individuals that oversee and manage the construction of the school. This team must consist of equal number of men and women. With their oversight, they also ensure that the community sends girls to the final constructed primary buildOn school.

We’re proud to say that 49% of students in buildOn schools are female.

“When you educate a man you educate one person, when you educate a woman you educate an entire family.” – African Proverb

Day of the Girl Child photos from Skyler, our Director of Development for the East Coast.