In 2014, the twitter hashtag #BringBackOurGirls spread like wildfire after Boko Haram kidnapped 276 Nigerian girls from a boarding school in northeast Nigeria. Boko Haram translates into “Western education is forbidden.” Boko Haram has been active in Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. It is an Islamist terrorist movement that has been linked to al-Qaeda. 57 of the girls kidnapped by Boko Haram managed to escape. Some of the girls that have escaped have decided to continue their education, despite the danger they may face from Boko Haram. The escapees and their families have endured threats of violence if they decide to continue their education. 21 of the escaped girls have begun attending the American University of Nigeria, studying for professional careers in fields such as medicine and engineering. Many people have discouraged the families from allowing their girls to attend school again.
A 27 year old woman named Godiya had her sister fall victim to the kidnap ambush. Her sister managed to escape, and afterwards Godiya went to her boss at the American University of Nigeria to ask what options can be given to the girls who have escaped. Her boss, Ensign, responded promptly. Ensign designed a campaign called #EducateOurGirls. The campaign has raised over $90,000 for the girls’ education fund. Godiya found it difficult to recruit girls to attend the university because many of the families were afraid to put them in harms way again. The girls were able to make it safely to the university and have been doing amazingly in school. The right to education is a basic right. The fact that the girls went back to attending school after their lives were put in danger is very courageous and surreal. It is unimaginable to be put in their situation and have the courage to continue their education, knowing Boko Haram is still alive and powerful.
Nigerian Escapees Brave Return Post Boko Haram Abduction
by Maram Elnagheeb