Join the Global Book Alliance for the launch of its Open Book Partner Series with the first of two webinars that discuss the importance of literacy as a transformative experience for girls around the world. Access to books is at the heart of literacy. Literacy ensures that girls build confidence, develop self-esteem and believe in their ability to achieve their dreams. However, girls face a greater risk of illiteracy than their male peers. This risk currently translates into approximately 496 million adult women around the world being unable to read and write. Ensuring literacy for girls and women will have benefits for future generations. And as with other programs focused on gender it is a force multiplier reducing infant girl mortality, ensuring better access to health, increasing the number of girls who go to and stay in school, and finally increasing women’s agency, leadership skills and engagement.
Through the framework of the book value chain, speakers will talk about their understanding, implementation and success in ensuring that the right books are written and published for girls. With a view to both policy and system change, our experts will review the need for efficient systems that ensure books can get into the hands of girls, and that teachers, parents, caregivers and communities have the support they need to help girls meet their reading goals.
The webinar will feature a keynote address by Helen Grant MP, UK Special Envoy on Girls’ Education, as well as remarks from LeAnna Marr, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator, United States Agency for International Development, Alicia Hebert, Director, Education, Gender, Equality and Special Envoy on Gender Equality, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Jaime Saavedra, Global Director, Education Practice, World Bank Group, and Hon. Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, Minister of Education, Government of Rwanda.
Please join us for this important conversation on Wednesday, May 26, from 9:00–10:15 a.m. EDT.