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Meida release: Girl Guides stand a stand for rights of girls in Papua New Guinea
Sydney 10 December:
Over $46,000 has been donated by Girl Guides Australia to UNICEF education programs to ensure girls in Papua New Guinea, one of Australia’s closest neighbours, receive their right to go to school.
Celebrating 100 years of Guiding, the money was raised as part of the 2010 Centenary International Service Project. Girl Guides across Australia explored the issues faced by children and young people worldwide, particularly the issue of equal access to education, and used creative fundraising pursuits.
“Education is something that most young people in Australia take for granted but for many children in countries like Papua New Guinea, particularly girls, education remains a privilege reserved for boys and children from wealthier families,” said Norman Gillespie, Chief Executive UNICEF Australia.
About half of Papua New Guinea’s primary school-aged children are out of school and almost 60 per cent of these children do not complete primary school. The gender gap is also the highest in the Pacific; for every 100 boys in secondary schools there are only 65 girls.
“We are immensely proud of this significant achievement in raising money to support the education of girls in Papua New Guinea and look forward to continuing the great work through our partnership with UNICEF Australia,” commented Helen Geard, Chief Commissioner for Girl Guides Australia.
UNICEF’s project in PNG promotes girls’ education by improving the current education system to make it safer and friendlier for girls as well as by raising awareness in the communities on the importance of girls’ education.
“UNICEF and Girl Guides share a deep commitment to support vulnerable young people around the world, especially those who are most marginalised and whose rights are too often violated,” said Dr Gillespie.
“This generous donation will help provide many girls in Papua New Guinea with a fresh start and the opportunity to go to school,” he said
(Left to right) Michelle Price, Girl Guides Australia National Operations Manager Lorna Stevens, Girl Guides NSW & ACT State Commissioner Belinda Allen, UNICEF Australia Chief Executive Norman Gillespie, Erin Wicking, Joan Bunker and Girl Guides Australia Acting General Manager Velia Nicholls.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in over 190 countries to promote and protect the rights of children. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, clean water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and HIV. In Australia, UNICEF advocates for the rights of all children to be realised and works to improve public and government support for child rights and international development. UNICEF receives no funding from the UN, but relies on the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
For more information, please contact:
Tim O’Connor, UNICEF Australia
0435 206 273
Martha Tattersall, UNICEF Australia
0421 570 393