Truth be told, when I think about International Women’s Week, I tend to be a little selfish because I surround myself with thoughts about my surroundings. When I need support, I turn to my friends and family, but I never really thought about who other women would turn to if they have no designated support system. Over the summer, I was given the opportunity to research into female empowerment and feminist breakthrough in third-world countries through my internship with The Borgen Project. Through writing multiple pieces about women’s STEM education, I learned so much about how the world battles misogynistic cultures and helps raise women to be courageous, strong and successful in a modernizing world.
What work needs to be done in third-world countries?
In my research, I specifically looked at Southeast Asian countries who were being assisted through large technology companies. Women in these countries are often discouraged from pursuing an education or career outside the household. These countries also have sprawling rural areas that limit access to education, as kids are forced to walk miles to and from educational facilities that lack funding for books, new resources, and qualified teachers. Most facilities lack gendered bathrooms or support systems for girls looking for an education, making it harder for them to stay in school to get a job once they are older. With such poor conditions to begin with, women here not only need an inner support group but also need outer support through financial donations, legal changes, and technological support for better education.
What is being done to help aid these countries?
One of the standout companies for feminist actions is Microsoft, which funds multiple women’s outreaches each year for STEM education and development. One big conference is the DigiGirlz conference in Sri Lanka, held in early March each year to work with 500 young women to develop an interest in STEM careers and subjects. The program brings in female role models for discussion panels and allows girls to interact with real-world issues via coding programs.
Microsoft has also launched a STEM4ALL campaign in Malaysia to impact education in rural areas, helping to fund after school programs centered around STEM education in both primary and secondary schools. The funding impacts over 100,000 students and helps teachers bring more technology into the classroom, helping young women be less afraid of technological studies and become more passionate about staying in school. By funding early education, Microsoft is helping to mold young women into fearless students who will continue to pursue their education without letting the culture stop them.
What can I do to help these people?
Personally, when I read about what was happening in education around the world, I wanted to help others have the same access and choices as I do to make their lives better. One of the great things about The Borgen Project is the website helps advocate for legislation regarding women’s education in third world countries, specifically the Keeping Girls in School Act and the Reach Every Mother and Child Act. Both of these laws would help fund women’s education and development in third world countries. By contacting congress in support of these laws, you can be one of the voices for change and help these women in need!
Another thing you can do to help these women has simply spread the word. So many people are unaware of the ways they can impact others, just like I was before my internship. When you make people passionate, change can get done! You can also donate through the billions of other outreach organizations, but be sure to do your research! Not everyone is as donation-happy as they seem. Let’s go make a positive change in the world and keep spreading the wealth of knowledge to women!