Say Yes, Spring 2005: Editorial

Education is the best possible intervention for improving the quality of life for current and future generations -- and the education of girls is especially important in this respect. Providing girls and young women with a quality education helps to ensure their healthy growth and development -- and that of their children. All the evidence points to education being of major benefit to the girl herself, her family, her community and society as a whole.

UNICEF’s 25 by 2005 acceleration strategy has been helping to speed progress in girls’ enrolment in 25 selected countries by 2005. As one of these countries, Turkey has been working hard to close the gender gap in primary education.

Progress has been steady as the issue of gender equality in education, hidebound by traditional attitudes and values, shakes off the chains of the past and takes its place in the forefront of national consciousness.

• the government has prioritised girls’ education from the highest offices through to local councils;
• every organ of the media has supported the drive to get more girls into school with coverage at national and local levels;
• families of school-age girls themselves are changing their attitudes -- and those of their neighbours -- and sending their girls to school;

MONE and UNICEF’s Haydi Kızlar Okula! has been one of the most visible tools for change in this arena. With its simple slogan exhorting girls to go to school, Haydi Kızlar Okula! has been a focal point for government ministers and officials, teachers, principals, imams, muhtars, NGOs, volunteers and -- let’s not forget -- the families and children themselves, to mobilise and push for change.

Many education campaigns have since sprung up around Turkey with the support of newspapers, television and various NGOs. As Haydi Kızlar Okula! enters its third phase this year, it has been a heartening experience to see others pick up the torch in this way.

It only remains for all concerned to keep the issue in the public eye until even the most reluctant families relent and say to their daughters: Haydi Kızlar Okula!

Edmond McLoughney
UNICEF Representative, Turkey

PS: We’d very much like to hear readers reactions to this issue, so please feel free to contact us with your comments and suggestions.

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