Education Cannot Wait New York

indicates that 90% of adolescent girls and young women are offline. That's 9 out of 10 denied access to the limitless information and opportunities that the internet provides.     

Despite these challenges, we know that access to education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can have a profound impact.

I think of the brave girls and teachers of the Afghan Girls' Robotics Team. These real-life Rule Breakers – led by Education Cannot Wait's Global Champion Somaya Faruqi – competed in robotics competitions worldwide. Through their brave acts, they learned to build and program robots, they acquired new skills in engineering and technology, and they served as ambassadors for girls in science and technology everywhere. These are the pioneers that will break through the glass ceiling and pave the way for millions of girls worldwide to access the internet and find careers in technology.

There is a strong economic case to support girls' access to information and communication technology. According to UNESCO, we could boost global GDP by €600 billion by 2027 if we doubled the share of women in the tech workforce.

To get there, we are going to need to break some rules. That means using our wealth in the North to share with the girls of Afghanistan – and across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America – and empower them to embrace technology for girls of all ages.

We must accelerate funding to ensure children caught in humanitarian emergencies, just like Somaya Faruqi, can triumph again and again, thanks to their access to education and technology. Despite the seemingly impossible odds, they have proven that girls can stand up, learn technology and win the sprint – not just nationally or regionally, but also globally.

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