BETWEEN THE LINES: WOMEN CLOSE GAPS IN EDUCATION, VOCATIONS

Last week while covering a story for the newspaper, I met an amazing group of children and their parents.

The kids were tumbling across mats on the gym floor while their parents talked to me about a new gymnastics program offered by Southeast University.

It's a program that allows children with disabilities -- and their siblings -- to experience sports and other activities like "normal" children. A horseback riding class and soccer team are also expected to be organized later this year.

The children, who ranged in age from 4 years old to 12 or 14, had a great time jumping on the trampoline, hanging from uneven bars and tumbling on the mats.

If you closed your eyes and only listened to their laughter and conversations, you couldn't pick up any differences that might set them apart.

And that's just what these parents want you to do.

Regardless of any differences they might have -- be it racial, physical or mental -- their children should get to experience all life has to offer. And that means equality in sports, too, the parents said.

Being able to play sports and compete like other children teaches them that they are just as important and equal as their peers, the parents said.

I'd have to agree. My parents taught me that regardless of my gender, I could do anything I wanted. But I had to put forth the effort.

Unlike other little girls who dreamed of being ballerinas or actresses, I never fantasized about those careers. I was going to do something important, like become president.

I haven't quite made it as far as the presidency in my career, but there shouldn't be any reason I couldn't.

No one should be held back because of a disability, health condition or even their gender.

But in much of the world that's the case, especially with women. In many countries, women are treated as lesser people and aren't valued for their intellect or abilities.

At school, girls still are closing the gap in science and math but still lag behind boys in computer skills and technology. And when those girls enter the working world, they'll see a disparity in their pay scales, too.

The Associated Press reported that the gender gap is slowly closing, despite persisting stereotypes.

In a story printed this weekend, the AP said more of the world's daughters are getting an education now than they did 10 years ago. Yet 51 nations still have serious gender gaps.

Researchers credit closing the gender gap with more awareness of the importance of women. I don't mean to sound like a woman on a soap box, but we are pretty important people in the world.

Women contribute a lot, whether it's at home raising a family, tending to household chores or on the trading floors at Wall Street. All those occupations are worthwhile.

It's time the entire world realizes it and gives women the support and recognition they deserve for their efforts. The men already get enough; it's time to share.

~Laura Johnston is a copy editor for the Southeast Missourian.