The Young Women’s Representative for Aileu District, Graciana Mendonça, demand the government, through the Ministry of Education, to provide schools with adequate infrastructure and facilities especially clean water and good toilets.
Mendonça said one of the biggest concerns for them is the lack of clean water and toilet facilities at schools with many teachers and students having to return home in order to go to the toilet.
She also urges the Ministry of Education to provide books and create libraries and increase the teacher’s capacity to teach specific subjects.
“We, the young girls, call on the government to support us in getting an education,” said Mendonça during celebration of the World Day of the Girl in Aileu district.
Student Angelina Ximenes agreed with her friend that having good toilets would help them get a better education and make learning easier.
The young girls urged teachers and parents alike to also not discriminate against them and stop giving priority for boys in regards to access to an education as well as to pay more attention to girls during the learning and teaching process to ensure boys and girls get the same good quality education.
The girls were also concerned with their security because in remote areas of the country many young children are walking alone long distances to get from home to school.
Meanwhile the Representative of the State Secretary for the Promotion of Equality (SEPI), Hermino Xavier, recognized young girls living in remote areas face many difficulties and that culture and distance are key factors preventing young girls getting an education.
“Many young girls find it difficult to get an education because of lack of school infrastructure, distance and security,” said Xavier.
He added SEPI would increase its efforts to change attitudes and would strongly advocate for looking at aspects of the culture that prevent women from taking part in society in particular accessing education.
