Do you remember your first day of school? I remember how my father and I cycled a few hundred metres, walked our bikes across a pedestrian crossing and continued along a cycle path. Some other first-graders and their guardians were already standing on the schoolyard. The air was filled with nervous anticipation, but also with enthusiasm. Soon we would get our yellow newcomer caps and become first-graders. That day marked the beginning of my school path, which has led me to this day, the final stage of my university studies.
In Finland, first-graders receive all kinds of gifts from companies and their loved ones. But, above all, they are provided basic education by their municipality regardless of their gender. In some other countries, first-graders can receive basic education if it is possible financially or for safety reasons. Or at least it should be so.
The accessibility of basic education varies greatly around the world. School attendance has increased, but 273 million children and young people are still out of school (UNESCO, 2026). The probability of girls being left out of school is 1.5 times higher than that of boys (Plan Finland, 2026). In addition, more than 120 million school-aged girls do not have access to education (Plan Suomi, 2026). Poverty, gender-based violence and discrimination, as well as crises have a particular impact on girls’ education (Plan Finland). Every child, including girls, must have the right to dream about school and education.
Personally, I have been able to make my way to school safely either by bike, on foot or by bus. On the other side of the world, the location of the school may be one obstacle to school attendance (Plan Suomi, 2026), making the way to school impossible for a small pupil or too dangerous. Often, families want to keep girls safe at home (Plan Finland, 2026).
Girls are expected to marry and take care of the family and home. As a result, families living in poverty choose to educate their sons rather than their daughters. Child marriages are one of the biggest reasons why girls drop out of school. This also means that the vicious circle continues and the family continues to live in poverty. Education is the key to a better livelihood, health and safe relationships. (Plan Suomi, 2026.)
Girls take care of their family and community, and educated girls are more likely to invest their income in their family than educated boys (Plan Finland, 2026). Investing in a girl’s education benefits the whole family and community. This also helps educated girls make better decisions about their own life and avoid child marriage (Plan Finland, 2026).
The International Day of the Girl Child was celebrated on 11 October. The purpose of the day is to raise international awareness of girls’ rights and status and the discrimination they experience due to gender and age. However, I want to remind you that we must keep on fighting for every girl in the world every single day. So that every girl could dream about education and make her dream come true. So that every girl could have the same opportunities to get an education as boys. So that every girl could walk to school in peace, and later even continue their studies in the university, just like I have been able to do. We must fight together for these rights. Our task is to spread information about the importance of girls’ education, to talk about gender equality and non-discrimination. Let’s change the world together so that everyone can go to school.
When I think about my first day of school, I understand how privileged I have been. The school gates opened for me without needing to fear or face obstacles or uncertainty. Every girl in the world should have the same opportunity to take a step towards her dreams on her first day of school.
Saara Pesonen
Member of KENKKU
