Today is the 8th of March – an International Women’s Day. Today we want all the women in the world to feel particularly empowered, heard, strong and beautiful! Today also makes us think about all the women in the world who are deprived of their right to education. Unfortunately, the numbers are striking.
How many women in the world are deprived of their right to education?
According to the United Nations, approximately 130 million girls between the ages of 6 and 17 are out of school worldwide, and over 60% of those are in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia (UNESCO, 2021). Additionally, UNESCO reports that over 15 million girls of primary-school age will never get the opportunity to learn to read or write, and women account for two-thirds of the world’s 774 million illiterate adults (UNESCO, 2015). Although a significant progress has been achieved in this regard and many countries have recognized the importance of women’s education and have taken steps to ensure its accessibility to women, much more remains to be done.
Why some women do not have access to education?
The right to education is a fundamental human right that has been recognized by various international treaties and conventions. Despite this, there are still many barriers to education, particularly for women, in different parts of the world. The denial of education to women not only violates their human rights but also has serious consequences for their families, communities, and society as a whole.
Women’s education has been a significant challenge in many societies due to cultural, social, and economic factors. In some places, it is considered unnecessary or even inappropriate for girls to receive education, and in others, they are unable to access education due to a lack of resources or infrastructure. This inequality is particularly stark in developing countries, where girls often face significant challenges in accessing education.
Why it is important for women to receive education?
Educated women have a significant impact on the health, well-being, and economic development of their families and communities. When women are educated, they are more likely to have smaller and healthier families, and their children are more likely to survive and be healthy. Educated women are also more likely to participate in the labor force, earn higher wages, and contribute to the economy. Additionally, women’s education is essential for achieving gender equality and reducing gender-based violence and discrimination.
To ensure that women have access to education, governments must invest in education systems that are accessible, affordable, and of high quality. They must also address the social and cultural barriers that prevent girls from attending school, such as child marriage, gender-based violence, and discriminatory social norms.
Final thoughts
Education is a fundamental right that should be accessible to all, regardless of gender. Ensuring that women have access to education is not only a matter of human rights but also an essential step towards achieving sustainable development and a more equal world. It is imperative that governments, international organizations, and civil society work together to remove the barriers that prevent women from accessing education and promote the education of girls and women worldwide.
We stand to encorage all the women to continue fighting for their rights and especially the right for education! Women’s right to education is simply a human right, and every human must have it!
References
United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/development-agenda/
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2015). Education for All 2000-2015: Achievements and Challenges. https://en.unesco.org/education-2030-sdg4/efareport
United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI). (2021). Girls’ Education: What Works? https://www.ungei.org/girls-education
World Bank. (2020). Gender and Education: An Overview. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/gender/publication/gender-and-education-an-overview
World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Women’s Health and Development: WHO Health Topics. https://www.who.int/health-topics/womens-health#tab=tab_1
World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Child Marriage. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/child-marriage
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). (2017). Progress for Children: A report card on adolescents. https://data.unicef.org/resources/progress-for-children-a-report-card-on-adolescents/
