Passport to Equality

Hey there, future leaders and change-makers! You’ve probably heard people say “women’s rights” before, in school, online, or maybe even from your parents. But the cool thing is that women’s rights don’t look the same everywhere. Depending on where you live, being a girl can mean very different opportunities, challenges, and experiences. So, let’s take a journey around the world together and see how women’s rights look in different places. Buckle up, this is going to be inspiring, eye-opening, and full of hope.

To start, we can talk about education around the world. In some countries, like the U.S., Canada, or Finland, girls are in classrooms right alongside boys, and often outperform them in school!  In fact, in many places, more women than men go to college. But that’s not the case everywhere. In Afghanistan, many girls aren’t allowed to go to secondary school, even if they desperately want to learn. In other regions, schools are far away, unsafe, or too expensive for families to send their daughters. Sometimes, girls are expected to stay home to help care for siblings or do chores instead of learning. So, the next time you’re sitting in class and feel bored during math or history, remember that raising your hand, sharing your opinion, and having the chance to learn are things millions of girls are still dreaming about.

Now, imagine this. You grow up wanting to be a doctor, an engineer, or maybe even a video game designer. In countries like Iceland or Norway, women have strong protections for equal pay and work opportunities, which means you’d have a fair shot at chasing those dreams. But in other parts of the world, women can’t choose freely. In some countries, women need permission from a husbands or fathers just to get a job. And even if they do work, they often earn much less than men for doing the same thing. The freedom to imagine your dream career and actually chase it is a right we sometimes take for granted. Women everywhere deserve that same chance to shine.

Moving on to women’s rights in society as a whole, did you know that in 2022, Honduras elected its first female president, Xiomara Castro? In New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern served as prime minister and inspired the world with her compassionate leadership. Around the globe, more and more women are stepping into positions of power. But not all girls get to dream of being leaders. In some countries, women aren’t allowed to vote, run for office, or even make certain legal decisions without the approval of a man. Imagine not being able to choose who represents your voice, simply because you’re a girl. Every time you share an idea in class or run for student council, you’re practicing leadership that millions of girls are still fighting for.

Moving on, one big part of women’s rights is having the freedom to make choices about their own bodies and health. In many countries, women have access to doctors, can decide when or if they want to marry, and can make personal health decisions. But in some places, girls may be forced into marriage at a young age or denied access to healthcare. Some don’t get to make decisions about their own bodies at all. These rules aren’t fair, and activists everywhere are working hard to change them. Having the power to say “This is right for me” is a right every girl deserves.

Here’s a fun one about sports. In the U.S., thanks to a law called Title IX, girls and boys have to be given equal opportunities in sports. That’s why you see girls on soccer fields, basketball courts, and swimming teams competing just as fiercely as boys. But in other countries, girls don’t always get the same chance. In some places, sports for girls are discouraged or even banned. And in countries where girls do play, they sometimes don’t have the same resources, equipment, or respect as boys. Every time you run on the field, kick a ball, or play a game you love, you’re showing what girls everywhere are capable of.

However, something important is that women’s rights aren’t just about school or jobs. They’re also about the little, everyday things. In France, women only gained the right to wear pants in public without “special permission” in 2013. In Saudi Arabia, women couldn’t legally drive cars until 2018. In some countries, girls can’t go out alone without a male relative. These rules may sound strange, but they remind us that rights we take for granted, like choosing what to wear, where to go, or how to spend our free time, aren’t universal yet.

So, why should you care about women’s rights in other countries if you don’t live there? Because when women and girls are lifted anywhere, it helps everyone. Communities grow stronger, families are healthier, and the world becomes more creative, fair, and kind. And here’s the best part, YOU can help. You don’t have to change the entire world in one day. You can start small, like learning about inspiring women from other countries (like Malala Yousafzai from Pakistan, who fought for girls’ right to education, or Greta Thunberg from Sweden, who fights for the planet). You can also talk with friends and family about fairness and equality, or support organizations that help girls go to school or get healthcare.

The truth is that women’s rights aren’t just history or headlines. They’re a story that’s still being written, and you’re part of it. Every time you speak up, ask a question, stand beside a friend, or follow your passion, you’re proving that girls deserve equal opportunities. You’re showing the world what equality looks like. So whether you’re loud and bold, quiet and thoughtful, or somewhere in between, your voice matters. Your choices matter. And together, girls everywhere are changing the world. 

Now, are you ready to become a world traveler for women’s rights? Instead of needing real stamps or facts, you’ll create your own special “passport” full of rights that matter to you.

What You’ll Need:

• A piece of paper (fold it in half to make a little booklet)

• Crayons, markers, or pencils

Steps:

1. Cover Page: Write “My Rights Passport” on the front. Decorate with doodles — like stars, hearts, books, or a globe! 🌎💜

2. Inside Pages: On each page, draw a little pretend “stamp” (a circle, star, or any shape you like). Inside the stamp, answer one of these prompts:

   • ✏️ “In school, I think every girl should have the right to…”

   • ✏️ “When it comes to jobs, I believe girls should be able to…”

   • ✏️ “For leaders, I think girls should get the chance to…”

   • ✏️ “For everyday life, it’s important that girls can…”

3. (They can be simple answers, like “go to school,” “choose any job,” “be president,” or “wear what I want.”)

4. Final Page: Title it “My Voice Matters.” Write down one way you can help make life fairer for girls everywhere — like standing up for a friend, learning about inspiring women, or speaking your mind in class.

 The best part? There’s no “wrong” answer. Each passport is unique because it’s filled with YOUR ideas of what fairness for girls looks like!