Dubai: Dubai Cares has launched a fund-raising campaign with the aim of empowering girls in developing countries by addressing gender imbalances in primary education.
The titled "Girls' Education Campaign 2011" initiative is in line with the commitment of Dubai Cares to help achieve gender equality by 2015, as represented by United Nations Millennium Development Goal 3.
Running throughout Ramadan, the campaign underlines the importance of providing girls with access to quality primary education, as an estimated 42 million girls around the world do not go to school.
Tarek Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares, said more than 5 million children in 24 countries have benefited from Dubai Cares since it was set up four years ago, although the initial target was 1 million.
In these countries, the organisation works to renovate dilapidated schools, build new ones and provide school nutrition and pure drinking water as well as sanitary facilities to encourage parents to send their children to school.
As for the campaign to educate girls, Al Gurg said studies have shown that girls who receive education are able to pass it on to their children and eventually the community at large.
"This campaign aims to raise awareness of the plight of girls in developing countries and to mobilise the UAE community to help change their lives by donating towards Dubai Cares programmes that focus on girls' education," Al Gurg said.
You can donate by:
- Adding Dh5 or more to your purchase at participating retailers
- Shopping at participating retailers
- Visiting Dubai Cares' interactive stand at The Dubai Mall and buying bricks to build a mock classroom. The bricks are priced at Dh50 each.
- Donating through SMS by sending the word "Donation" to the following numbers: 9030, 9090, 9300, 9600, 9900
- Buying Dubai Cares merchandise from Patchi, Nstyle and Dubai Duty Free
- Making online donations at www.dubaicares.ae
- A direct donation by a cheque addressed to Dubai Cares
- Dropping contributions at donation boxes throughout Dubai
- Donating at Emirates NBD through any of the bank's ATMs/CCDMs in the UAE
