Bridging the Gap: Broken Chalk Marks World Rural Development Day with a Call for Equal Education Access.

Bridging the Gap: Broken Chalk Marks World Rural Development Day with a Call for Equal Education Access.
PRESS RELEASE

Amsterdam, The Netherlands – 16 July 2025 – On this World Rural Development Day, Broken Chalk reaffirms its unwavering commitment to closing the rural-urban divide in education.

Bridging the Gap: Broken Chalk Marks World Rural Development Day with a Call for Equal Education Access

Amsterdam, The Netherlands – 16 July 2025.  

On this World Rural Development Day, Broken Chalk reaffirms its unwavering commitment to closing the rural-urban divide in education. 

As the world highlights the role of rural communities in sustainable development, we call attention to the millions of learners in these areas who are being left behind—by geography, by infrastructure, and by policy.

The theme promoted by the United Nations for this observance recognizes the vital contributions rural populations make to food security, climate resilience, and cultural preservation.

However, education remains the missing link in unlocking the full potential of rural communities.

In many parts of the world, especially in the Global South, access to quality education is not a right—it’s a privilege, and one far too often denied to rural children.

Broken Chalk, an international human rights organization dedicated to eliminating education inequality, has consistently exposed the systemic barriers faced by rural learners, from a lack of trained teachers and digital infrastructure to language barriers and cultural marginalization.

Rural girls, children with disabilities, and those in conflict zones face even steeper challenges.

The Broken Chalk team and its interns firmly believe that “Without equitable access to education, rural development is merely a slogan.” True empowerment of rural communities must begin with classrooms that are inclusive, accessible, and grounded in cultural relevance.

In alignment with the UN’s 2030 Agenda and SDG 4 (Quality Education), Broken Chalk continues to advocate for increased public investment in rural schools and digital learning infrastructure.

Localized teacher training and incentives to retain educators in underserved regions.

Protection of education in rural conflict zones.

Culturally sensitive curricula that reflect the realities and wisdom of rural life.

Voices from the Field.

Broken Chalk’s recent field research and interviews with rural youth in Sub-Saharan Africa reveal a shared desire: “We don’t want to leave our villages to learn; we want to learn and stay, to grow our own communities.”

To support rural resilience, education cannot be an afterthought—it must be the cornerstone.

On this World Rural Development Day, Broken Chalk invites educators, policymakers, and civil society groups to join hands in creating inclusive educational ecosystems. Because when we uplift rural learners, we uplift the world.

 

Download the pdf here.

 

Featured Photo: Adobe Stock/Lertluck Thipchai

Sources:

www.brokenchalk.org

https://www.un.org/en/observances/rural-development-day

Honouring the Trailblazers: Broken Chalk Celebrates International Day of Women in Diplomacy

Date: 24 June 2025

 

Amsterdam, The Netherlands – On this International Day of Women in Diplomacy, Broken Chalk proudly joins the global community in recognising and honouring the immense contributions of women who champion peace, justice, education, and human rights on the world stage.

Diplomacy has long been a field dominated by men, yet history and the present are rich with courageous, intelligent, and visionary women who have reshaped global relations and advanced human dignity. Today, we salute not only the female diplomats occupying official positions in foreign ministries and multilateral institutions, but also the women advocating tirelessly through education, civil society, and grassroots movements often in spaces where diplomacy takes on many forms.

At Broken Chalk, we believe education is a powerful diplomatic tool. Women educators, advocates, and policy leaders play a pivotal role in peace-building and preventing human rights violations, particularly in regions where access to education and freedom of expression remain fragile.

“The strength of diplomacy is not measured solely in treaties signed or conflicts avoided, but in the ability to listen, to include, and to lead with empathy,” says Broken Chalk Media Spokesperson/Reporter and Project Specialist Leticia Cox. “Women bring these qualities to the diplomatic table and beyond, helping to forge a more inclusive and equitable global future.”

We echo the United Nations’ call for equal representation and meaningful participation of women in all areas of diplomacy. As global crises from conflict to climate change continue to demand collaborative and compassionate leadership, the voices of women are not just welcome they are essential.

Broken Chalk remains committed to supporting women’s leadership in diplomacy and education worldwide. On this day, and every day, we advocate for systemic change that empowers women and girls to lead, negotiate, and inspire in all spheres of influence.

Let today serve as a reminder: when women lead in diplomacy, the world becomes a more peaceful, just, and educated place.

Photo by Jogendra Singh on Unsplash

Broken Chalk Communications Team

www.brokenchalk.org

Press Release: International Day of Women in Diplomacy

Date: 24 June 2025

Honouring the Trailblazers: Broken Chalk Celebrates International Day of Women in Diplomacy

Amsterdam, The Netherlands – On this International Day of Women in Diplomacy, Broken Chalk proudly joins the global community in recognising and honouring the immense contributions of women who champion peace, justice, education, and human rights on the world stage.
Diplomacy has long been a field dominated by men, yet history and the present are rich with courageous, intelligent, and visionary women who have reshaped global relations and advanced human dignity. Today, we salute not only the female diplomats occupying official positions in foreign ministries and multilateral institutions, but also the women advocating tirelessly through education, civil society, and grassroots movements—often in spaces where diplomacy takes on many forms.
At Broken Chalk, we believe education is a powerful diplomatic tool. Women educators, advocates, and policy leaders play a pivotal role in peace-building and preventing human rights violations, particularly in regions where access to education and freedom of expression remain fragile.
“The strength of diplomacy is not measured solely in treaties signed or conflicts avoided, but in the ability to listen, to include, and to lead with empathy,” says Broken Chalk Media Spokesperson/Reporter and Project Specialist Leticia Cox. “Women bring these qualities to the diplomatic table and beyond, helping to forge a more inclusive and equitable global future.”
We echo the United Nations’ call for equal representation and meaningful participation of women in all areas of diplomacy. As global crises—from conflict to climate change—continue to demand collaborative and compassionate leadership, the voices of women are not just welcome—they are essential.
Broken Chalk remains committed to supporting women’s leadership in diplomacy and education worldwide. On this day, and every day, we advocate for systemic change that empowers women and girls to lead, negotiate, and inspire in all spheres of influence.
Let today serve as a reminder: when women lead in diplomacy, the world becomes a more peaceful, just, and educated place.

 

Broken Chalk Communications Team
www.brokenchalk.org

Image by Leticia Cox

ICC Seeks Arrest Warrants for Taliban Leaders as Global Advocacy Grows

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step in the fight for Afghan women’s rights, seeking arrest warrants for the Taliban’s supreme leader and Afghanistan’s chief justice on charges of crimes against humanity. This unprecedented move recognises the Taliban’s systemic oppression of women and girls as a grave international crime, offering a rare moment of validation for Afghan activists who have long fought against their erasure. Since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, Afghan women have faced sweeping restrictions affecting every aspect of their lives—from education and employment to healthcare, public spaces, and access to justice. 1. A newly released interactive graphic sheds light on their reality, offering a harrowing glimpse into life under the Taliban’s gender segregation. Through the lens of a burqa, the visual tool provides a comprehensive overview of Talibanimposed restrictions, linking directly to the United States Institute Of Peace’s extensive documentation of their rules and orders. In response to the deepening oppression, Guardian Live will host a special panel discussion on March 26, featuring renowned journalist Emma Graham-Harrison, Afghan journalist and activist Zahra Joya, bestselling author Elif Shafak, and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig. The discussion will explore the historical and ongoing silencing of women, the resilience of those resisting oppression, and the urgent need for gender apartheid to be officially recognised as an international crime. The Guardian Live will donate 50% of the event proceeds to Rukhshana Media, an Afghan women’s media organisation that reports on and for Afghan women, amplifies their voices, and campaigns for their rights on the global stage. As Afghan women continue to be pushed into invisibility and silence, this moment demands international action. Will the world finally listen? *For more information about the Guardian Live event, please click on the link below. https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-live-events/2025/jan/08/the-silencing-of-women-withsandi-toksvig-elif-shafak-and-zahra-joya  

To download this as a PDF, click here

Image by ©Leticia Cox

International Mothers Earth Day press release

On April 22, the world comes together to celebrate International Mother Earth Day, recognising our shared responsibility to protect the planet and live in harmony with nature. For Broken Chalk, this day serves as a crucial reminder that access to education is essential to building environmentally conscious, resilient, and sustainable communities.

The right to quality education, enshrined in Article 1 of Protocol No. 2 to the European Convention on Human Rights and Goal 4 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, extends far beyond the classroom. It equips individuals with the knowledge, critical thinking, and civic awareness needed to face the realities of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. Without inclusive and equitable access to education especially in vulnerable and marginalised communities meaningful and effective climate action remains out of reach.

From understanding the science of climate change to engaging in environmental policymaking, Broken Chalk believes that education is one of the most powerful tools in empowering individuals to contribute to a more sustainable future especially in an era where misinformation undermines genuine climate action. Yet today, millions of individuals, most notably children, around the world are denied the access to basic and quality education due to conflict, poverty, political repression, and increasingly, climate-induced disasters.

Rising sea levels, wildfires, droughts, and displacement not only destroy homes but also disrupt schooling threatening the futures of entire generations, more so with marginalised communities that have fewer resources. Such communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis are often those most excluded from education systems. This inequality perpetuates a vicious cycle of disempowerment and environmental vulnerability. Environmental justice and educational justice are deeply interconnected.

Due to this, Broken Chalk endorses global efforts made that integrate climate education and environmental literacy into all levels of learning. We advocate for the inclusion of sustainability principles in national curricula, calling for urgent action to safeguard educational institutions and academic freedom in the face of environmental and political crises.

As we mark International Mother Earth Day, Broken Chalk urges governments, institutions, and civil society to recognise that protecting the planet requires protecting education. Ensuring that every child can access a quality education that includes climate awareness is not just a policy choice it is a moral imperative. Climate education allows individuals to better comprehend and utilise effective ways to reduce emissions than many other single solutions. For this reason, to disarm individuals with the learning opportunities to better protect their environment and the world around them is to strip away their ability to develop personal connections to climate change solutions and change their behaviours accordingly throughout their lives.

 

Photo by Ijaz Rafi on Unsplash

Press Release: International Day for Education

Children in classroom with food

On the 24th of January, the world celebrates the importance of education for peace and development with the International Day of Education. In light of this celebration, Broken Chalk reiterates the importance of education as a human right, and reaffirms its mission to address human rights violations in the educational field today. 

UNESCO has declared the theme for this year ”Learning for Lasting Peace” and is dedicating this year’s International Day of Education to the crucial role education and teachers play in countering hate speech. Education is a powerful tool that has the potential to influence future societies. If inclusive and of quality, it promotes understanding, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence among individuals and communities.

Today, a staggering 250 million children and youth find themselves out of school, while 763 million adults grapple with illiteracy. Access to education is highly unequal, meaning not every child has the same opportunity for development. Broken Chalk deems this situation unacceptable, recognizing that the right to education is being violated on a massive scale.

Broken Chalk reiterates its commitment towards Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG4), in ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education. Considering the theme of International Day of Education 2024, “Learning for Lasting Peace”, Broken Chalk recognises that the worryingly high number of international conflicts in the last year has detrimentally affected the ability of people to access equitable and quality education. Broken Chalk calls for all stakeholders to do their utmost to focus on peaceful resolutions and policies in order to allow for greater educational accessibility and peace for students around the world.

On this International Day of Education, it is essential to recognise the importance of teachers for their role in the journey towards inclusive and equitable education. Regrettably, there is a growing shortage of teachers across the world, significantly impacting educational access and quality. Broken Chalk commits to continuing its practice of publishing “Educational Challenges” articles. Broken Chalk hopes that these articles will bring to light the difficulties teachers and other stakeholders face in their respective countries. By ensuring that the narrative around education development is broadened to include the perspectives and challenges of teachers, Broken Chalk believes that there will be more significant progress towards achieving universal education accessibility, quality and equity.

In addition to its ongoing efforts, Broken Chalk will publish several articles in celebration of the International Day of Education. Broken Chalk will continue to raise awareness, encourage dialogue, address human rights violations in education, and drive action to achieve quality education for all. 

Broken Chalk announces it to the public with due respect.

Signed,

Broken Chalk

International Day for Countering Hate Speech

Written by Astrid Euwe Wyss and Panashe Marie Louise Mlambo 

On 18 June, the world observes the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, established by the UN General Assembly in its resolution 75/309 on 21 July 2021.1 This day serves as a global call to action to combat hate speech in all its forms, fostering a culture of respect, tolerance, and understanding. 

The principles enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights emphasize that “Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference” and “Any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law.” Broken Chalk stands firmly behind these ideals, advocating for educational environments where respect, tolerance, and mutual understanding are promoted. 

Educational institutions are critical arenas for fostering values of respect and tolerance. However, many regions around the world still struggle with the harmful effects of hate speech, which can create hostile learning environments and impede students’ educational progress.2 Broken Chalk’s efforts focus on raising awareness about these challenges and urging the international community to implement effective strategies to counter hate speech. As an international organization, Broken Chalk remains steadfast in its mission to achieve both local and global perspectives in its advocacy efforts. Through collaborative action and collective engagement, we strive to create a world where every individual has access to quality education in a peaceful, inclusive, and respectful environment. Our press releases, monitoring articles, and UN-UPR submissions are all the strides we have take to address the gaps in education and challenges affecting individuals in the educational sphere.  

“Our work is driven by a commitment to fostering respect and understanding in education. On this International Day for Countering Hate Speech, we urge governments and stakeholders to the UN to prioritize the fight against hate speech in education and to take decisive action to address systemic issues.” is a sentiment that is agreed by the Broken Chalk representatives.  

As an international organization, Broken Chalk remains steadfast in its mission to achieve both local and global perspectives in its advocacy efforts. Through collaborative action and collective engagement, we strive to create a world where every individual has access to quality education in a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment. 

Broken Chalk’s World Day Against Child Labour Press Release 

Panashe Marie Louise Mlambo, Mamta Rao  

World Day Against Child Labour, annually on June 12th, was first launched in 2002 by the ILO to raise awareness and foster activism aimed at preventing child labour. This day brings together governments, local authorities, civil society, international organizations, workers, and employers to highlight the issue of child labour and to define effective strategies for its elimination.1 Despite progress over the past two decades, conflicts, economic crises, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have reversed many of these gains, making it more critical than ever to renew global efforts against child labour.2 

Broken Chalk, an Amsterdam-based non-governmental organisation committed to addressing human rights violations in the education sector, joins this global call to action. Our organisation, established in October 2020, is dedicated to removing obstacles to education, promoting peace and tolerance through intercultural understanding, preventing radicalism and polarisation, and eliminating educational opportunity gaps across various demographics.3 

Our extensive research and advocacy work reveal that child labour can indeed be eliminated if its root causes are addressed. Economic disparities, lack of access to quality education, and systemic injustices are the primary drivers that push children into labour. More than ever, it is urgent for all of us to contribute to bringing solutions to people’s daily problems, and child labour is – possibly – the most visible of these problems. 

We call for a renewed global commitment to social justice, with the elimination of child labour as a central focus. This involves leveraging the Global Coalition for Social Justice to drive initiatives that address the socio-economic factors contributing to child labour. 

 We urge all nations to ratify ILO Convention No. 138 on Minimum Age. Combined with the universal ratification of ILO Convention No. 182 on Worst Forms of Child Labour achieved in 2020, this would provide comprehensive legal protection for children against all forms of child labour.4 

Regions like Africa and Asia-Pacific bear the brunt of this issue, with Africa having the highest percentage of children in child labour (one-fifth) and the highest absolute number (72 million). Asia and the Pacific follow with 7% of all children and 62 million in absolute terms in child labour. Together, these regions account for nearly nine out of every ten children in child labour worldwide.4 

This year, the focus is on accelerating progress towards achieving Target 8.7 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aims to eradicate child labour in all its forms by 2025. By focusing on Key areas of action—legislative reforms, education, decent work for adults, social protection, and public advocacy—we can create a comprehensive strategy to eliminate child labour and build a brighter future for all children.6 

Let us renew our commitment to ending this grave violation of children’s rights. By uniting our efforts, we can build a future where every child enjoys their right to a childhood free from labour and filled with opportunities for education, growth, and development. 

“Our work is driven by a commitment to fostering respect and understanding in education. On this World Day Against Child Labour, we urge governments and stakeholders to the UN to prioritize the fight against child labour in education and to take decisive action to address systemic issues,” said a representative from Broken Chalk. 

As an international organization, Broken Chalk remains steadfast in its mission to achieve both local and global perspectives in its advocacy efforts. Through collaborative action and collective engagement, we strive to create a world where every individual has access to quality education in a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment. 

References

International Day of Living Together in Peace – May 16th

Written by Astrid Euwe Wyss and Panashe Marie Louise Mlambo 

On 16 May, the world celebrates the International Day of Living Together in Peace, established by the UN General Assembly in its resolution 72/130 on 8 December 2017.1 This day calls upon individuals and communities globally to unite in the spirit of peace, understanding, and cooperation, fostering an environment where differences are respected and harmony is pursued. 

Broken Chalk, a dedicated advocate for educational rights and human rights, proudly reaffirms its commitment to promoting peace and understanding in educational settings worldwide. Our organization tirelessly engages with international bodies, governments, and key stakeholders to champion the cause of living together in peace, particularly within the education sector.2 

The essence of the International Day of Living Together in Peace aligns seamlessly with the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states, “Everyone has the right to education” and “Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”3 Broken Chalk stands firmly behind these ideals, advocating for educational environments where peace, tolerance, and mutual respect are paramount. 

Broken Chalk recognizes the urgent need to bridge this gap and ensure that educational laws worldwide promote peace and non-discrimination. By advocating for stronger legal frameworks and inclusive policies, we aim to uphold the fundamental right to education for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. 

“Our work is driven by a commitment to fostering peace and understanding in education. On this International Day of Living Together in Peace, we urge governments and stakeholders to prioritize the promotion of peace in education and to take decisive action to address systemic inequalities and conflicts.” – Broken Chalk representatives.  

As an international organization, Broken Chalk remains steadfast in its mission to achieve both local and global perspectives in its advocacy efforts. Through collaborative action and collective engagement, we strive to create a world where every individual has access to quality education in a peaceful, inclusive, and respectful environment and continue to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity. 

Red Hand Day Marks Urgent Call to End the Use of Child Soldiers

As the world observes an increase in conflicts across the globe, the use of child soldiers remains a reality on this day February 12. From the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and in the Gaza Strip, to the escalating violence following Afghanistan’s political upheaval after Taliban’s takeover, the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic further destabilise regions like Yemen, amplifying the risk of conflict. In Somalia, conflict-related deaths have reached a five-year high, while many other countries struggle with prolonged crises that are frequently disregarded by the international community. Amidst this turmoil, the most vulnerable suffer the gravest injustices. Boys and girls are coerced into combat, exploited for labour, and subjected to unimaginable horrors. Despite a UN treaty prohibiting the involvement of children under 18 in hostilities, there has been a lack of enforcement from the international community.

Children continue to be embroiled in armed conflicts across numerous nations. Their lives are characterised by peril, deprivation, and fear. Stripped of their innocence, they face the constant threat of ambushes, landmines, and gunfire, their existence devoid of basic necessities like food, water, and healthcare. Subjected to brutal discipline, many children perish under inhumane conditions, while others survive with lifelong physical or psychological scars, with girls, comprising a significant portion of child soldiers, endure additional horrors, including sexual violence and exploitation. The reality is that children are robbed of their childhoods, and forced into roles no child should ever have to bear.

Hence, the Red Hand Day, or the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers campaign is a rallying call for action: urging governments, organisations, individuals, and the international community to confront this reality and provoke change. The history of Red Hand Day traces back to February 12, 2002, when the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict came into force. This protocol, also known as the “Paris Principles,” reaffirmed the international community’s stance against the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicti. The protocol established 18 as the minimum age for compulsory recruitment and participation in hostilities, with the aim of shielding children from the horrors of war and ensuring their access to education, health, and a safe environmentii.


Release of child soldiers. UNMISS/Nektarios Markogiannis. On Flickr.

At Broken Chalk, we stand in solidarity with the global community on Red Hand Day. We believe that every child, regardless of their circumstances, deserves equal access to quality education in a safe environment. Red Hand Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by more than 7622 children who are recruited as soldiers and deprived of their fundamental right to education (as estimated in a 2022 Annual Reportiii of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict to the UN General Assembly).

As we commemorate Red Hand Day, Broken Chalk is committed to advocating for policies and initiatives that prioritise the end of recruitment and use of children in armed conflict to fully implement the Paris Commitment. Moreover, we advocate for the protection, safety, financial support, peaceful education, reintegration, and support of children affected by armed conflict, ensuring that they can learn, grow, and thrive. Nevertheless, more actions need to be taken to hold accountable those who are responsible, in compliance with international humanitarian law, specifically the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Together, we can work towards a world where the red hands of child soldiers are replaced with books and pens, symbolising hope, resilience, and the promise of a brighter future.

Broken Chalk announces it to the public with due respect.

Signed,

Broken Chalk

i Human Rights Watch (n.d.). The Red Hand Day Campaign One million red hands against the use of child soldiers RESOURCE PACK. Available at https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/related_material/childsoldierresource.pdf

ii Red Hand Day: The suffering of the child soldiers. Red Hand Day. Available at https://www.redhandday.org/en/hintergrund

iii Children and armed conflict (2023, June 27). Report of the Secretary-General. Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. Available at https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/document/secretary-general-annual-report-on-children-and-armed-conflict-2/