Take our test on International Women’s Day and girls’ education

Welcome to the latest in the A World at School series called Take The Test – where you can learn about the barriers that prevent 58 million children around the world getting an education.

March 8 is International Women’s Day – and this week we are inviting you us to stand #UpForSchool for the next generation of women. By getting all girls around the world into school, we can ensure they have the opportunity to grow, learn and lead.

Globally, 31 million girls aged six to 11 are denied their right to education and more than 500 million girls will drop out before completing their basic education. We have to eliminate the barriers that stop girls going to school. You can make your voice heard by #signing the #UpForSchool Petition now. It demands that world leaders keep their promise to get all children into school and learning by the end of 2015 – without fear of discrimination or danger.

Now Take The Test and find out a little more about International Women’s Day and how too many girls are missing out on the opportunity to change their lives.

QUESTION 1

When was the first International Women’s Day?

A) 1911 B) 1924 C) 1937

QUESTION 2

British film star Emma Watson will host the HeForShe event in London on International Women’s Day to address gender inequality issues – what United Nations post does she hold?

A) UN Special Envoy for Global Education B) UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador C) UN Women Goodwill Ambassador

QUESTION 3

Of the 30 million children aged six to 11 out of school in sub-Saharan Africa, how many are girls?

A) 14 million B) 17 million C) 20 million

QUESTION 4

Of the 116 million young women aged 15 to 24 in developing countries today, how many have not completed primary school?

A) Almost a quarter B) Half of them C) Nearly all of them

QUESTION 5

What colour is used to show support for International Women’s Day?

A) Red B) Purple C) Green

QUESTION 6

How much later – on average – will a girl who gets an education beyond grade 7 get married than a girl who drops out before then?

A) Two years B) Four years C) Six years

QUESTION 7

A child born to a literate mother is how much (in percentage terms) more likely to survive past the age of five than a child born to an illiterate mother?

A) 20% B) 35% C) 50%

QUESTION 8

Which singing star said this? “I’ve always felt strongly about equal opportunity for women. Girls have to be taught from early on that they are strong and capable of being anything they want to be. It’s up to us to change the statistics for women around the world…and set an example for the next generation of young ladies.”

A) Beyonce B) Angelique Kidjo C) Shakira D) Priyanka Chopra

QUESTION 9

What are the likely outcomes for girls who marry too young (under the age of 18)?

A) They will have little or no education B) They are at higher risk of domestic violence, abuse and HIV C) They often have children very young D) All of these

THE ANSWERS

1. A) 1911. It was first held in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on March 19 that year. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women’s rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination.

2. C) UN Women Goodwill Ambassador – the Harry Potter actor is also a supporter of the HeForShe campaign that aims to engage men and boys in removing the social and cultural barriers that prevent girls and women from fully participating in education and society.

3. B) 17 million – many girls in developing countries are forced to miss school to help their families get married or because of conflicts or other dangers.

4. A) Almost a quarter – girls are four times more likely to be out of school than boys from the same backgrounds.

5. B) Purple – each year throughout March groups across the worlds use #PaintItPurple images on images, posters and videos.

6. B) Four years – and they are much more likely to avoid getting into exploitative work when they’re adults or even while they are still young.

7. C) 50% – educated girls can make informed choices from a better range of options and educating girls saves lives and builds stronger families, communities and economies.

8. A) Beyonce – the American singer and film star is a co-founder of Chime For Change, a global campaign to convene, unite and strengthen the voices speaking out for girls and women around the world.

9. D) All of them – and about 70,000 girls die in labour every year because their bodies aren’t ready for it.