April 30, 2014

Google Logo Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAm

Wordless Wednesday: #BringBackOurDaughters

Two weeks ago over 200 young girls between the ages of 16-18 were re-taking a physics exam in northeast Nigeria were invaded by Boko Haram terrorist.

By DNLee

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

Two weeks ago over 200 young girls between the ages of 16-18 were re-taking a physics exam in northeast Nigeria were invaded by Boko Haram terrorist. Armed men descended upon their school, defenseless and out of surprised kicked in doors and corralled them into trucks and took them away. Some reports from nearby villagers indicate they were being held in the nearby forests. Fathers, brothers, uncles and cousins were searching desperately for them in those suspected forests - without arms, without weapons or military might to match that of the kidnappers. And two weeks later they still have no answers.

Imagine if it were your child, that you sent to school and she never returned home. How upset and distraught you would be? Now imagine an entire community all grieving and reeling from the collective emptiness. Our daughters were taken away. Taken. The mothers of those daughters are

requesting demanding assistance from the Nigerian government and now from the international community as well.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Now is a good time to email your Federal representatives and ask them to assist the Nigerian Government to bring the girls back home to their parents.

 

 

DNLee is a biologist and she studies animal behavior, mammalogy, and ecology . She uses social media, informal experiential science experiences, and draws from hip hop culture to share science with general audiences, particularly under-served groups.

More by DNLee

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe