For those of us in the developed world, access to education is something we largely take for granted. Children and teenagers, more often than not, may very well wish they didn't have to go to school. For women and girls who aren't as privilidged, this isn't the case. Brave women and girls have to fight for their right to receive an education and, as we've seen with the recent kidnapping in Nigeria, sometimes they pay a steep price.

No one knows this better than Sarah Lawan. Sarah is one of the teenagers who escaped from Boko Haram militants, and she has opened up about her experience and escape.

On April 15th, Sarah was one of 234 Nigerian school girls abducted by the Islamic militant group.

This past Sunday, the 19 year old revealed to the Associated Press that more of the girls could have escaped like her were they not afraid of being shot as their captors had promised.

"I am pained that others could not summon the courage to run away with me," she said. "Now I cry each time I come across their parents and see how they weep when they see me."

With regards to whether or not she would consider returning to her school, Sarah says,

"I am really scared to go back there but I have no option if I am asked to go because I need to finish my final-year exams which were stopped half way through."

The fact that women and girls like Sarah are put in danger because they simply want to pursue an education is inexcusable.

Sign the petition on this page to show your support for women and girls because everyone, regardless of their gender, deserves an education.

For more information about the girls' kidnapping and to join the call to "Bring Back Our Girls",click here.

Editorial

Demand Equity

Nigerian student speaks out after escaping Boko Haram captors