OPEN LETTER: Beijing+25: The Road to Gender Equality begins with Girls’ Education (signed by 99 organizations from all over the world)

Today, the Generation Equality Forum would have started with the ambition to launch a transformative agenda to achieve immediate and irreversible progress towards gender equality. This milestone moment, 25 years after the Fourth World Conference on Women and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, has been put on hold by the world’s unprecedented global health emergency – COVID-19,

But our commitment today and every day is resolute: quality girls’ education is key to thistransformative agenda, and must be a key pillar in our efforts to achieve gender equality.

Together, we* call on the Generation Equality Forum convenor, UN Women, and the host countries of France and Mexico, along with the Global Leaders of the Generation Equality Action Coalitions, to ensure that quality girls’ education is part of efforts to deliver game-changing results for women and girls and a more inclusive society.

Identified as a cross cutting issue for the six Action Coalitions, girls’ education is so much more.

Girls’ education is a fundamental human right, enshrined in various instruments including the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women, the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The rights of girls not only to education, but also in and through education, are reaffirmed in the Education 2030 Framework for Action as well as in Sustainable Development Goal 4.

Girls’ education enables girls to access the full spectrum of their rights. It is also linked with economic growth, climate change mitigation and resilience, promoting peace and bolstering health and education outcomes for children. Education is a critical pathway to achieving gender equality, and has the power to transform the harmful social norms that hold girls and women back from exercising their agency and realizing their full potential.

Girls’ education is even more critical now, as the current pandemic has affected the right to education of over 90 percent of the world’s student population. At the pandemic’s peak, over 1.5 billion children, including 767 million girls, had their education interrupted. Even before COVID-19, the right to education was already uncertain for girls facing discrimination because of their disability, location, or language group/ethnicity, or other characteristics, as well as those in crisis-affected countries.

Emergencies exacerbate pre-existing inequalities. The longer schools are closed, the longer girls are exposed to heightened risks of gender-based violence, early and forced marriage and early and unintended pregnancy, exploitation (whether economic or sexual), human trafficking, among others. Many of these girls are at further risk of never returning to school when these reopen: early estimates suggest this may be as many as 10 million girls.

We call on all leaders to reinforce the importance and the powerful role of education for women’s and girls’ rights.

We call for tangible, concrete, resourced and meaningful commitments, both through bilateral and multilateral funding to girls’ education, accompanied by clear commitments by States to increase the national budgets for education.

We stand with you to ensure that all girls can fulfil their right to education, and that no one is left behind.


*99 signatories organisations from all over the world

Aide et Action
AIEIMS-2D
Albanian Coalition for Education
ANPIL onlus
Asociación PROYDE
Asociación Tarpusunchis
Association d’Aide à l’Education de l’Enfant Handicapé (AAEEH)
Association of De La Salle Brothers in India
Association songtaaba des femmes unies pour le développement asfud
Association Yara LNC
Associazione Dream Team Donne in Rete
Br. Richard Galvin
Broeders van de Christelijke Scholen
Brothers of the Christian Schools – Distric of Bogota, Colombia
Brothers of the Christian Schools – District of Eastern North America
Brothers of The Christian Schools Lwanga District of English Speaking Africa
Building Tomorrow
Cameroon Education For All Network (CEFAN)
Campaña Mundial por la Educación España
Centre de Formation et d’Action pour le Développement CFAD
Child Rights Centre Albania
Children Believe
Christian Brothers
Coalition Éducation
CONAMEPT-coalition nationale MADAGASCAR POUR EPT
De La Salle Brothers
De La Salle Brothers – District of Colombo
De La Salle Brothers Australia
De La Salle Christian Brothers
De La Salle Christian Brothers, District of San Francisco New Orleans
DEFI
Derandein Fundazioa
District of Ireland, GB and Malta
Education Cannot Wait
ENIEG DE FOUMBAN
Europe and North America Campaign for Education
Fondazione De La Salle Solidarietà Internazionale
Forum for African Women Educationalists
Fundação La Salle Brasil
Fundación Ayuda en Acción
FUNDACIÓN BOLIVIA DIGNA
Fundación Cultura de Paz
Fundacion InteRed
Fundación La Salle – Argentina
Fundación La Salle Paraguay
GALE, The Global Alliance for LGBT Education
Girls Opportunity Alliance
Global Campaign for Education
Global Campaign for Education Netherlands
Global Partnership for Education
Globale Bildungskampagne
Human Dignity
Humanity & Inclusion
Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
Irish National Teachers Organisation
La Salle
La Salle International Foundation
La Salle RELEM (Europe and Meditteranean)
Lasallian District of Ireland, Great Britain and Malta
Lasallian East Asia District
Lasallian Education in North America
Lasallian Mission Council ANZPPNG
Lasallian Projects
Lasallian Women of Hope
Lassalian Educators Mozambique Association (AMEL)
Light for the World
Little Sisters of the Assumption
Malala Fund
Miroir Vagabond (Belgique)
Misean Cara
Mission Council Sector of Ireland
NGO CONSTRUISONS ENSEMBLE LE MONDE
Not 4 Trade
OCCHI APERTI società cooperativa sociale onlus
ONG HAMAP-Humanitaire
Pakistan Coalition for Education an initiative of Society for Access to Quality Education
Partage
Plan International
Plan International France
Planète Enfants & Développement
Planète Urgence
Región Latinoamericana Lasallista – RELALSalesian
Sisters
Save The Children International
SCEFA
Secours Islamique France
Solidarité Laïque
Solidarité Laïque Afrique de l’Ouest
SOPRO – Solidariedade e Promoção
St lasalle school karemeno
SUORE DOMENICANE DI S. CATERINA DA SIENA – PROVINCIA BEATA VERGINE DEL ROSARIO
Syndicat National de l’Enseignement Primaire Public de Côte d’Ivoire (SNEPPCI)
SYNDICAT NATIONAL DES AGENTS DE LA FORMATION ET DE L’EDUCATION DU NIGER ( SYNAFEN)
TEACH Côte d’Ivoire
UNESCO
UNICEF France
UNICEF USA
United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative
World University Service (WUS), Germany

La Salle Academy Relief Distribution

In response to the on-going health crisis, La Salle Academy, Iligan, launched Panaghiusa--a fund raising and donation drive for the school's partner communities in this time of COVID-19 pandemic. The effort was able to raise almost Php 300,000.00. Last 25 April, care packages containing vegetables, rice, noodles, canned goods, and toiletries were distrtibuted to the families 215 sikad drivers in Brgy. Villa Verde. Earlier that week, 375 families more from various barangays in Iligian City received their care packages. LSA's Panaghiusa (Eng. solidarity) is part of De La Salle Philippines' kada•uno initiative--a unified response against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continue to support efforts for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. De La Salle Philippines is accepting in-kind and cash donations to provide for our frontliners, PUMs and PUIs, and those displaced and/or affected by the current health crisis. Click on this link for more information on our bank details: https://www.delasalle.ph/donate.

DSWD Authority/Solicitation Permit No.: DSWD-SB-SP-00036-2020

Photo courtesy of Lasallian Media Facebook page.

#OneLaSallePH
#KadaUno
#EndCOVID19

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De La Salle Andres Soriano Memorial College Relief Distribution

Lasallians in Toledo, Cebu made a difference during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic by helping those families greatly affected in their community. De La Salle Andres Soriano Memorial College, through its Social Action Program, was able to collect over 1700 kilos of rice, almost 1500 packs of noodles, 500 cans of sardines, and 350 bars of soap for repacking. These grocery and hygiene items were distributed to more than 200 families within their vicinity last 23 April. DLSASMC continues to play an active role in supporting their community, especially in this on-going global health crisis.

Like the DLSASMC community, continue to support efforts for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. De La Salle Philippines is accepting in-kind and cash donations to provide for our frontliners, PUMs and PUIs, and those displaced and/or affected by the current health crisis. Click on this link for more information on our bank details: https://www.delasalle.ph/donate.

DSWD Authority/Solicitation Permit No.: DSWD-SB-SP-00036-2020

Photo courtesy of De La Salle ASMC Facebook page.

#OneLaSallePH
#KadaUno
#EndCOVID19

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KADA UNO SA LSU - Ozamiz

Our Kadauno Team led by Engr Flor Neri has distributed PPEs and essential medical supplies to the Doctors to the Barrio Program through Dr. Buck Baliton; Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr Medical Center (COVID Center for MisOcc) through Bea Chavez, Infection Control Head RN and Mallen Neri, Administrative Services Office; and the Tudela Municipal Hospital Frontliners.

(c) Br. Butch Alcudia FSC

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Molecular Laboratory of De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute as COVID-19 Independent Testing Center

On 08 May 2020, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) certified the Molecular Laboratory of De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute in Dasmariñas, Cavite to perform independent testing for COVID-19 by Realtime PCR. With this accreditation, we can process 1000 tests per day. With this recognition, we play our part in flattening the curve.

#OneLaSallePH
#KadaUno
#EndCOVID19

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UPDATE: Relief goods distribution in Sta. Rosa, Laguna last April 18, 2020.

UPDATE: Relief goods distribution in Sta. Rosa, Laguna last April 18, 2020.

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For our next round of relief distribution,

HELP US FEED 1000 HOMELESS FAMILIES

We are counting on your generosity to help us put together 1000 relief packs for homeless families in the Metropolis. Your 1000 PESO donation will be able to feed a family of 5 for one week.

Pledges are also accepted! Please email Br. Armin Luistro FSC at br.armin@delasalle.ph to those who wish to pledge first and deposit later.

#OneLaSallePH
#KadaUno
#EndCOVID19

Safe Shelters and the Brothers

During the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, the Brothers opened up their schools in France as shelters and hospitals for soldiers from both sides. Br Arnold Reche FSC (1838-1890) was one of the many Brothers who volunteered as medics, he has since been beatified by the Catholic Church.

150 years later, the De La Salle Brothers in the Philippines have likewise opened their doors to frontline workers and the vulnerable.

Let us continue to support those greatly affected by COVID-19. De La Salle Philippines is accepting in-kind and cash donations to provide for our frontliners, PUMs and PUIs, and those displaced and/or affected by the current health crisis. Click on this link for more information on our bank details: https://bit.ly/donateKadaUno.

#OneLaSallePH
#KadaUno
#EndCOVID19

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Let's Work Together To Fight COVID-19!

Together with the Philippine Jesuits, we have provided aid for frontliners as well as homeless and urban poor families. With your support, we can continue to help thousands of Filipinos whose lives are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Marissa a Safe Shelter Guest at De La Salle University

Marissa*, 31 years old, is one of the guests of the AJ Kalinga Foundation at the De La Salle University Safe Shelter. She fled from her abusive foster parents during her teenage years, and has since been living on the streets. She moved from one employer to another to earn a living, working as a household help. Marissa has also been diagnosed with epilepsy. During this time of enhanced community quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she’s grateful to have a safe shelter to stay in.

Continue to support those greatly affected by COVID-19 like Marissa. De La Salle Philippines is accepting in-kind and cash donations to provide for our frontliners, PUMs and PUIs, and those displaced and/or affected by the current health crisis. Click on this link for more information on our bank details: https://bit.ly/donateKadaUno.

*Name has been changed for privacy purposes.

Photo taken and used with permission.

#OneLaSallePH
#KadaUno
#EndCOVID19

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Residencia De La Salle Brothers' Community Face Shield Production

The Brothers and staff of the Residencia De La Salle Brothers’ Community in Cavite contribute to fighting the spread of the COVID-19 in their own way. In partnership with MarvTech Innovations and the Facebook community 3D Printing for a Cause, they were able to produce 630 face shields. Apart from the De La Salle University Medical Center, some face shields were also donated to the Dasmariñas City Medical Center and Binakayan Hospital.

Like the Residencia De La Salle Brothers’ Community, continue to support efforts for our COVID-19 frontliners. De La Salle Philippines is accepting in-kind and cash donations to provide for our frontliners, PUMs and PUIs, and those displaced and/or affected by the current health crisis. Click on this link for more information on our bank details: https://bit.ly/donateKadaUno.

Photo courtesy of the Residencia De La Salle Brothers’ Community Facebook page.

#OneLaSallePH
#KadaUno
#EndCOVID19

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De La Salle Lipa Relief Goods Distribution

De La Salle Lipa provides assistance to families within its vicinity during this on-going COVID-19 health crisis. Last 03 April 2020, care packages which contained a sack of rice and two bags of grocery items were distributed to communities near DLSL. In keeping with the Luzon-wide community quarantine, recipients of the relief operation showed their gratitude through a sign hung outside their window.

Like the DLSL community, continue to support efforts for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. De La Salle Philippines is accepting in-kind and cash donations to provide for our frontliners, PUMs and PUIs, and those displaced and/or affected by the current health crisis. Click on this link for more information on our bank details: https://bit.ly/donateKadaUno.

#OneLaSallePH
#KadaUno
#EndCOVID19

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