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Nicholas Kristof’s editorial in today’s New York Times, chronicling the harrowing experiences of a Pakistani woman forced into sexual slavery by her husband, inspired this post.

The story is unfortunately not an isolated one, and while any number of reforms are necessary before the problem begins to be adequately addressed, Mr. Kristof points to one — literacy — that promises to give girls a head start in learning to protect themselves from this kind of exploitation.

To that end, Developments in Literacy was launched in February 1997 to work for the eradication of illiteracy in the most remote and neglected areas of Pakistan.

Since that time, DIL has succeeded in establishing 250 primary and secondary girls’ schools in Pakistan’s four provinces, serving approximately 10,000 underprivileged children.

How can you help? It turns out that the cost to accomplish this important goal is remarkably inexpensive by Western standards: one year of basic education for one child costs just $50. To make a child literate takes at least five years, or just $250. And the cost of sponsoring an entire school for one year is $1250.

Whether you’re able to give $50 or $1250, your gift could help a give a girl a chance for a better life!

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