Bring Back Our Girls Now

On April, 14th 2014, over 300 school girls were kidnapped from their dormitory in Chibok, Nigeria by the terrorist group Boko Haram. It has been over 6 months, and over 200 girls are still missing. Many of these girls had dreams of becoming lawyers, nurses and doctors – hoping to use their education to give back to their community and thrive as young individuals. Their freedom and right to education have been violated by the extremist group, and it is unacceptable the world leaders allow this violation of human rights to continue. 
We cannot begin to imagine the terror that has become the reality for these young girls, and it is our obligation to ensure the safe homecoming of every last one of them. Together we stand in solidarity with the kidnapped girls and their families. We will continue to speak up for the rights and safety of all girls everywhere and their right to education and security.
Education is not only a human right, it’s the fundamental key to breaking the cycle of poverty in the world. By investing in a girls’ education, we decrease the risk of being married at a young age, prevent premature pregnancy and reduce the chance of further health issues such as HIV AIDS. Since the mass abduction of the Chibok girls, The Safe Schools Initiative has been launched by Nigerian business leaders to prevent such catastrophes from occurring in the future. An investment in the infrastructure of this imperative contingency plan will secure the safety and continued education of girls across Nigeria. 
It is clear that the government of Nigeria requires outside support and resources in this matter. Nigeria has the largest number of out of school children in the world. Of the 10.5 million children who aren’t attending school, 60% of them are girls. Boko Haram’s insurgency is depleting the Nigerian government of their energy and resources. They have killed and kidnapped even more men, women and children across the country, and their wrath is threatening the state of Nigeria. 
It is unacceptable to passively allow terrorists to abduct and barter with children. If a girl’s freedom is threatened or devalued in one country, girls everywhere remain at risk. 
We call upon the Government of Canada to step up its international assistance in the search for and safe return of the kidnapped schoolgirls from Chibok. By signing this petition we express that we stand with the kidnapped girls, their families and their community, and we request the assurance of the Canadian government that it will do everything within its considerable power to ensure the girls' safe return to their homes and school