Save the Girl: Why Girls' Education Matters for Everyone
Education is a human right and a powerful tool for transforming lives. However, millions of girls around the world are denied this right or face multiple barriers to accessing quality education. This not only affects their individual potential, but also the development of their families, communities, and countries. In this article, we will explore the challenges, benefits, solutions, and partnerships that are essential for ensuring that every girl can learn and thrive.
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The Challenges Facing Girls' Education Around the World
According to UNESCO estimates, around the world, 129 million girls are out of school, including 32 million of primary school age, and 97 million of secondary school age[^4]. In countries affected by conflict, violence, or fragility, girls are more than twice as likely to be out of school than boys[^9]. What are some of the factors that prevent girls from getting an education?
Poverty and lack of resources
Poverty is one of the greatest barriers to girls' education in developing communities. Many families cannot afford to pay for school fees, uniforms, books, or transportation. They may also need their daughters to work at home or outside to contribute to the household income. Keeping girls at home to undertake domestic chores like cooking, cleaning, babysitting or fetching water and firewood can be seen as a better use of their capabilities[^13].
Gender norms and discrimination
Gender norms and discrimination shape the expectations and opportunities for girls and boys in different societies. In many cultures, girls are seen as less valuable or capable than boys, or as destined for marriage and motherhood rather than education and career. They may face social pressure or stigma to drop out of school or to study subjects that are considered more suitable for their gender. They may also face harassment or violence from teachers, peers, or strangers on their way to or at school[^9].
Violence and harmful practices
Violence and harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) are serious threats to girls' education, health, and rights. Globally, one in five girls are married before their 18th birthday, often forcing them to leave school and have children at a young age[^9]. FGM affects more than 200 million girls and women alive today, mostly in Africa and some parts of Asia and the Middle East[^9]. It can cause severe physical and psychological complications that can affect girls' attendance and performance at school.
The Benefits of Investing in Girls' Education for Individuals and Societies
Despite these challenges, there is overwhelming evidence that investing in girls' education is one of the most effective ways to achieve positive outcomes for individuals and societies. Here are some of the benefits of educating girls:
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Health and well-being
Educated Educated girls are more likely to have better health and well-being for themselves and their families. They are more likely to delay marriage and pregnancy, to have fewer and healthier children, to prevent and treat diseases, and to seek health care services when needed. For example, every additional year of schooling for a girl reduces the probability of infant mortality by 5 to 10 percent.
Economic empowerment and productivity
Educated girls are more likely to have better economic opportunities and productivity for themselves and their communities. They are more likely to earn higher incomes, to invest in their children's education, to contribute to the household and national economy, and to adapt to changing labor markets. For example, every additional year of schooling for a girl increases her future earnings by 10 to 20 percent.
Social and political participation and leadership
Educated girls are more likely to have better social and political participation and leadership for themselves and their societies. They are more likely to have a voice and agency in decision-making, to challenge gender stereotypes and discrimination, to promote peace and democracy, and to become role models and leaders. For example, women with secondary education are more likely to participate in formal politics than those with less education.
The Solutions to Support Girls' Education in Different Contexts
To overcome the challenges and realize the benefits of girls' education, there is a need for comprehensive and context-specific solutions that address the multiple dimensions of the problem. Here are some of the solutions that have been proven to work in different settings:
Financial support and resources
Providing financial support and resources can help reduce the economic barriers that prevent girls from attending school. This can include abolishing or reducing school fees, providing scholarships or cash transfers to girls or their families, or offering incentives or subsidies for school materials, transportation, or meals. For example, in Malawi, a program that provided cash transfers to girls conditional on school attendance increased enrollment by 40 percent.
Infrastructure and accessibility
Improving infrastructure and accessibility can help reduce the physical barriers that prevent girls from reaching school safely and comfortably. This can include building or renovating schools, providing safe and reliable transportation, or ensuring electricity and internet connectivity. For example, in Afghanistan, a program that built schools in rural areas increased girls' enrollment by 42 percent.
Sanitation and hygiene facilities
Providing sanitation and hygiene facilities can help reduce the health and social barriers that prevent girls from staying in school, especially during menstruation. This can include providing separate toilets and washrooms for girls, supplying pads, soap, water, and disposal bins, or offering education and awareness on menstrual hygiene management. For example, in India, a program that provided free sanitary pads to girls increased attendance by 6 percent.
Gender-responsive teaching and learning
Promoting gender-responsive teaching and learning can help reduce the academic and cultural barriers that prevent girls from performing well in school. This can include training teachers on gender-sensitive pedagogy, providing gender-balanced curricula and materials, or offering extra support or tutoring for girls. For example, in Kenya, a program that trained teachers on how to address gender issues in the classroom improved girls' test scores by 18 percent.
Family and community engagement
Engaging family and community members can help reduce the social and attitudinal barriers that prevent girls from enrolling or completing school. This can include sensitizing parents and elders on the value of girls' education, involving local leaders and organizations in advocacy and monitoring, or creating safe spaces or clubs for girls to interact and learn from each other or mentors. For example, in Nepal, a program that mobilized community volunteers to visit parents of out-of-school girls increased enrollment by 20 percent.
The Role of Global Partnerships The Role of Global Partnerships and Campaigns in Advancing Girls' Education
Besides the local and national efforts, there is also a need for global partnerships and campaigns that can raise awareness, mobilize resources, and coordinate actions to support girls' education. Here are some of the examples of such initiatives:
UNICEF and the World Bank Group
UNICEF and the World Bank Group are two of the leading international organizations that work on girls' education. They provide technical and financial assistance, data and evidence, policy and advocacy, and partnership and coordination to governments and civil society organizations in different countries. They also support global platforms such as the Global Partnership for Education and the Education Cannot Wait fund that aim to improve access, quality, and equity of education for all children, especially girls .
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Protect the Girl Save the Nation
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child Educate the Girl Child) and Protect the Girl Save the Nation are two of the examples of national campaigns that aim to promote girls' education in India. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was launched by the government of India in 2015 to address the declining child sex ratio and to empower girls through education, health, and protection. Protect the Girl Save the Nation is a campaign initiated by a group of students from Delhi University in 2017 to raise awareness and funds for girls' education in rural areas. Both campaigns use social media, events, and celebrities to spread their messages and mobilize support.
Conclusion: How You Can Help to Save the Girl
In conclusion, girls' education is a crucial issue that affects everyone. It is not only a matter of justice and rights, but also of development and peace. By investing in girls' education, we can create a better future for ourselves and our planet. However, there are still many challenges and gaps that need to be addressed. Therefore, we need to act together to ensure that every girl can access quality education and fulfill her potential.
How can you help to save the girl? Here are some of the ways you can get involved:
Learn more about the issue: You can read books, watch documentaries, or listen to podcasts that explore the different aspects of girls' education. You can also follow news and updates from reliable sources and organizations.
Raise awareness and advocate for change: You can share your knowledge and opinions with your friends, family, or online community. You can also sign petitions, write letters, or join campaigns that call for action from governments or other stakeholders.
Donate or volunteer your time or skills: You can support organizations that work on girls' education by donating money or resources. You can also volunteer your time or skills by mentoring, tutoring, or fundraising for girls or their schools.
Be a role model and ally for girls: You can inspire and encourage girls around you by showing them respect, appreciation, and support. You can also challenge gender stereotypes and discrimination whenever you see them.
Remember, every girl deserves an education. And every girl counts. Together, we can save the girl.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between girls' education and gender equality in education?
Girls' education refers to the specific needs and challenges that affect girls' access to and completion of quality education. Gender equality in education refers to the broader goal of ensuring that both girls and boys have equal opportunities and outcomes in education.
What are some of the indicators or measures of girls' education?
Some of the common indicators or measures of girls' education include enrollment rates, attendance rates, completion rates, dropout rates, literacy rates, learning outcomes, transition rates, gender parity index, etc.
What are some of the international frameworks or agreements that support girls' education?
Some of the international frameworks or agreements that support girls' education include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979), the Convention on Some of the international frameworks or agreements that support girls' education include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), the Millennium Development Goals (2000), the Education for All Framework (2000), the Sustainable Development Goals (2015), etc.
What are some of the best practices or examples of girls' education initiatives?
Some of the best practices or examples of girls' education initiatives include the Malala Fund, which supports girls' education activists and programs in various countries; the Camfed, which provides scholarships, mentoring, and leadership training for girls and young women in Africa; the BRAC, which operates thousands of community-based schools for girls in Bangladesh and other countries; the Room to Read, which promotes girls' literacy and life skills in Asia and Africa; the Girl Rising, which uses storytelling and media to inspire girls and their communities; etc.
What are some of the challenges or gaps that still need to be addressed in girls' education?
Some of the challenges or gaps that still need to be addressed in girls' education include the lack of data and evidence on what works and what doesn't; the insufficient funding and political commitment from governments and donors; the persistent gender gaps and inequalities in learning outcomes and quality; the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and other crises on girls' education; the emerging issues and opportunities such as digitalization, climate change, and innovation; etc.
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