A Girl Child

The A Girl Child journal

Eight ways into the subject.

A growing editorial map for readers who want explanation, not just advice.

01Girls getting computer class near Baroda, Gujarat, India. January 2007. The computers are provided by http://www.blossomedu.org

The classroom is only the beginning

Education expands choices when girls can attend safely, learn confidently and continue beyond the first years of school.

Education expands choices when girls can attend safely, learn confidently and continue beyond the first years of school. The useful question is not simply whether an idea sounds right, but when it applies, what it leaves out and whose experience changes the answer. This entry places the issue inside a wider social and practical context.

Look for observable details, trustworthy sources and language that leaves room for revision. A serious account can be clear without pretending that every person or situation follows the same path.

02Original caption states, "Afghanistan: Girl's Classroom Scene -- USAID has povided extensive educational programs to improve the education level for young girls and women."

The invisible work of care

Girls often carry household responsibilities that compete with study, rest and play. Fairness begins by making that labour visible.

Girls often carry household responsibilities that compete with study, rest and play. Fairness begins by making that labour visible. The useful question is not simply whether an idea sounds right, but when it applies, what it leaves out and whose experience changes the answer. This entry places the issue inside a wider social and practical context.

Look for observable details, trustworthy sources and language that leaves room for revision. A serious account can be clear without pretending that every person or situation follows the same path.

03Girls in the Methodist Mission classroom in zhenjiang

Confidence is a public resource

When a girl is heard at home and school, she learns that her ideas belong in the world.

When a girl is heard at home and school, she learns that her ideas belong in the world. The useful question is not simply whether an idea sounds right, but when it applies, what it leaves out and whose experience changes the answer. This entry places the issue inside a wider social and practical context.

Look for observable details, trustworthy sources and language that leaves room for revision. A serious account can be clear without pretending that every person or situation follows the same path.

04A postcard of a sewing class in Noshiro Practical Girls' High School, Noshiro , Akita Prefecture, Japan.

Safe journeys to learning

Distance, transport, sanitation and harassment can turn an available school into an inaccessible one.

Distance, transport, sanitation and harassment can turn an available school into an inaccessible one. The useful question is not simply whether an idea sounds right, but when it applies, what it leaves out and whose experience changes the answer. This entry places the issue inside a wider social and practical context.

Look for observable details, trustworthy sources and language that leaves room for revision. A serious account can be clear without pretending that every person or situation follows the same path.

05Tags: classroom, blackboard, education, tableau, math, girls, man, braid

Digital access without digital harm

Devices can widen learning while exposing girls to surveillance, abuse and exclusion. Safety must grow with access.

Devices can widen learning while exposing girls to surveillance, abuse and exclusion. Safety must grow with access. The useful question is not simply whether an idea sounds right, but when it applies, what it leaves out and whose experience changes the answer. This entry places the issue inside a wider social and practical context.

Look for observable details, trustworthy sources and language that leaves room for revision. A serious account can be clear without pretending that every person or situation follows the same path.

06Ipswich Girls Grammar School, classroom, 1925

Health knowledge is power

Accurate, age-appropriate information helps girls understand their bodies and seek care without shame.

Accurate, age-appropriate information helps girls understand their bodies and seek care without shame. The useful question is not simply whether an idea sounds right, but when it applies, what it leaves out and whose experience changes the answer. This entry places the issue inside a wider social and practical context.

Look for observable details, trustworthy sources and language that leaves room for revision. A serious account can be clear without pretending that every person or situation follows the same path.

07The UK government is joining forces with Global Citizen + CHIME FOR CHANGE to bring global attention to the issue of girls’ education. On 7 July, we will host the Girls’ Education Forum bringing together governments, private sector stakeholders, civil society partners and education champions to drive the implementation of Global Goal 4 to achieve universal, quality education. Attendees will also include returned volunteers and representatives fromVoluntary Services Overseas, a leading international development organisation funded by the UK government as part of International Citizen Service. The benefits of educating girls are overwhelming, yet 63 million girls remain out of school. What’s more, many of those in school are not getting the quality education they deserve and are dropping out. New commitments will be secured which will contribute to improving girls’ learning; ensuring that even the poorest and most marginalised girls have the opportunity to learn; and helping girls get a secondary education. The UK has helped 11 million children get an education in the last 5 years, training 177,000 teachers, building classrooms and ensuring the poorest girls and boys have school bursaries and textbooks. This work will continue with a commitment to help 11 million girls and boys gain an education by 2020. Picture: David McClenaghan/VSO

Stories beyond rescue

Girls are not symbols of helplessness. Ethical storytelling recognises agency, family, culture and complexity.

Girls are not symbols of helplessness. Ethical storytelling recognises agency, family, culture and complexity. The useful question is not simply whether an idea sounds right, but when it applies, what it leaves out and whose experience changes the answer. This entry places the issue inside a wider social and practical context.

Look for observable details, trustworthy sources and language that leaves room for revision. A serious account can be clear without pretending that every person or situation follows the same path.

08The UK government is joining forces with Global Citizen + CHIME FOR CHANGE to bring global attention to the issue of girls’ education. On 7 July, we will host the Girls’ Education Forum bringing together governments, private sector stakeholders, civil society partners and education champions to drive the implementation of Global Goal 4 to achieve universal, quality education. Attendees will also include returned volunteers and representatives fromVoluntary Services Overseas, a leading international development organisation funded by the UK government as part of International Citizen Service. The benefits of educating girls are overwhelming, yet 63 million girls remain out of school. What’s more, many of those in school are not getting the quality education they deserve and are dropping out. New commitments will be secured which will contribute to improving girls’ learning; ensuring that even the poorest and most marginalised girls have the opportunity to learn; and helping girls get a secondary education. The UK has helped 11 million children get an education in the last 5 years, training 177,000 teachers, building classrooms and ensuring the poorest girls and boys have school bursaries and textbooks. This work will continue with a commitment to help 11 million girls and boys gain an education by 2020. Picture: David McClenaghan/VSO

A future chosen, not assigned

Real opportunity means being able to shape work, relationships, community and identity.

Real opportunity means being able to shape work, relationships, community and identity. The useful question is not simply whether an idea sounds right, but when it applies, what it leaves out and whose experience changes the answer. This entry places the issue inside a wider social and practical context.

Look for observable details, trustworthy sources and language that leaves room for revision. A serious account can be clear without pretending that every person or situation follows the same path.