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"Every girl, no matter where she lives, deserves the opportunity to develop the promise inside of her."
"Every girl, no matter where she lives, deserves the opportunity to develop the promise inside of her."
-Michelle Obama
What is the current state of education access for women and girls?
Globally, women and girls face complex difficulties accessing, and remaining in school. While the education gap has improved over time, there is still an overall disparity in literacy rates, and completion of primary and secondary school between boys and girls.
According to the Global Gender Gap Report "88% of females (of all ages) worldwide had primary education, compared to 91% of males (of all ages). By comparison, more females than males had attained tertiary education." (World Economic Forum, 2020)
An estimated "129 million girls are out of school, including 32 million of primary school age, and 97 million of secondary school age." (UNESCO 2022)
"Women make up more than two-thirds of the world's 796 million illiterate people." (UN Women, 2012)
"According to global statistics, just 39% of rural girls attend secondary school. This is far fewer than rural boys (45%), urban girls (59%) and urban boys (60%)." (UN Women, 2012)
While these statistics seem grim, the gap in overall enrollment between girls and boys is closing. Currently, there is an estimated 1% difference between total (primary and secondary) enrollment percentages of girls and boys overall. However, "completion rates for girls are lower in low-income countries where 63% of female primary school students complete primary school, compared to 67% of male primary school students." (UNESCO, 2022) This highlights the increased difficulties in education access that women and girls face in areas of lower socio-economic status. Additionally, they are often living farther away from their school, making the journey more time consuming, and potentially dangerous. Unfortunately, just because girls may be initially enrolled in primary school, it does not necessarily mean that they will have the opportunity to complete it, or move on to secondary school.
While there are additional factors that make it difficult for women to enter the workforce, a lack of education access can be one of primary limiting factors, as it forces women to remain dependent on others, and could prevent them from having the opportunity to apply to jobs in the first place.
What are the primary causes of this issue?
Globally, girls face many obstacles to accessing a quality education, and some of the primary causes include:
Poverty
Living in areas of national or international conflict, such as war or instability
Gender-based violence
Child marriage
"Lack of inclusive and quality learning environments and inadequate and unsafe education infrastructure, including sanitation" (Right to Education, 2020)
Gendered stereotypes
Lack of parental leave
Legal restrictions
Social barriers
Additionally, limited or restricted access to education can also be exaggerated by "other factors, such as... living in rural areas... physical or mental impairment, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity often exacerbates the discrimination women and girls face regarding their right to education." (Right to Education, 2020) This means that many girls face the additional challenge of reaching, and staying in school because of the compounded effects of various types of discrimination. If girls are able to access an education, they may then face difficulty remaining in school due to these barriers. Finally, when they are in school, they may face obstacles in receiving the same level and quality of education as their peers.
"We know that education is a human right, of all children. We also know that it improves our societies, it brings more peace and harmony... it has economic advantages, it uplifts a society from poverty, it helps us tackle issues like climate change..."
"We know that education is a human right, of all children. We also know that it improves our societies, it brings more peace and harmony... it has economic advantages, it uplifts a society from poverty, it helps us tackle issues like climate change..."
-_Malala Yousafzai
Who does this issue really impact?
According to the BBC, the most difficult countries for girls to access and complete an education include:
South Sudan
Central African Republic
Niger
Afghanistan
Chad
Mali
Guinea
Burkina Faso
Liberia
Ethiopia
However, the issue of limited access to quality education impacts all children, regardless on gender. According to UNESCO:
"Both girls and boys are facing a learning crisis. Learning Poverty (LP) measures the share of children who are not able to read proficiently at age 10. While girls are on average 4 percentage points less learning-poor than boys, the rates remain very high for both groups. The average of Learning Poverty in low- and middle- income countries is 55% for females, and 59% for males. The gap is narrower in low-income countries, where Learning Poverty averages about 93% for both boys and girls." (UNESCO, 2022)
These statistics indicate that poverty is a major barrier to access to quality education. While the gendered gap of enrollment is slowly closing, it does not mean that the quality of education that children are receiving is improving. Oftentimes, the same barriers that prevent children from gaining access to education are the same reasons why educators are limited in the scope of education that they can provide. Coupled with issues like underfunding and understaffing, teachers are also facing a crisis of their own.
Additionally, in areas that are faced with war, and other forms violence or instability, these issues are exaggerated. These obstacles are then compounded by gendered discrimination.
The right to education is guaranteed for all by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document sets a precedent for the standard of living and quality of life that all people have the right to enjoy. In terms of education, the Declaration states:
"Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit." (Article 26)
When these rights are fulfilled, all people, not just girls and women, are positively impacted. For example, when girls receive and complete a quality education:
National growth rates rise, and economies improve
Child marriage rates fall
Child mortality rates fall, and overall child health improves
Maternal mortality rates and teenage pregnancies fall
Women are given the tools to become more independent
Women's participation in politics increases
-(UN Women, 2012)
These are just some of the main benefits countries could gain by ensuring that girls received a quality education. Over time, the disparity between enrollment rates of girls and boys is coming to a close, however, there is still work to do.
What are some solutions?
Providing assistance in the home to give time for young girls to go to class
Increased funding for education to allow for:
More students to attend
Provide assistance making the trip to and from school safely
Hiring more teachers
Acquiring better books and equipment
"Providing menstrual hygiene management" (UNICEF, 2020)
"Supporting gender-inclusive education frameworks" (UNESCO, 2022)
In conclusion, the quality of education access has vast room for improvement, especially for girls. Even though the outlook has improved in recent times, there is still much work to be done. Overall, more funding, social acceptance, and general opportunity for girls in education is needed to equalize this gendered gap, and benefit entire societies in the long run.
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