During our school days, we have been taught much about the importance of girl- education. I remember, writing an essay on it was considered among the expected questions in the exam. A lot of work has been done to create awareness among people regarding it but girl education is still a challenge. A child without an education is still much more likely to be a girl than a boy. As per reports, 58 million girls worldwide are not in school.
South Asian countries including Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, etc have the highest number of out-of-school girls in the world. According to the 2011 Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Program, approximately twice as many males as females receive a secondary education in Pakistan and India too lags as far as girl education is concerned. Once the international community promised that, by 2005, there would be an equal number of boys and girls in school but later after taking stock of development, the leaders from around the world admitted that they failed to keep this promise.
But the million-dollar question is why this goal couldn’t be achieved? Is there any obstacle in between? What circumstances stop us from educating girls?
It has been analyzed that few challenges make it difficult for girls to access education. These include the cost of education, poor school environments, the position of women in society, social exclusion, and the last are Myths.
As far as the first challenge is concerned governments of the subcontinent especially India and Pakistan have somehow managed to ensure free education to children (including both boys and girls) belonging to marginalized sects. Schemes like Midday Meal Scheme, RMSA, SSA, and educational endowment fund, educational voucher scheme, etc in India and Pakistan respectively are few to mention, which are aimed at providing benefit to children belonging to less affluent and underprivileged areas who otherwise cannot have access to quality education due to financial and social constraints.
The poor school environment is, however, a serious concern. A school environment that may be acceptable to boys may be hostile to girls. The physical and sexual violence against women that is common in many societies is reflected in the school environment in several countries. Physical abuse and abduction are not only a major violation of girls’ basic human rights; they also present a major practical constraint in getting to school. Parents feel a duty to protect their daughters and may decide to keep them at home if they feel the school is too far away. This problem demands to be addressed but unfortunately nothing remarkable has been done in ensuring a safe school environment for girls.
Next challenge is the ‘weak position of women in society’. Within communities, girls have to overcome many obstacles. In countries like Afghanistan, rural areas of India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan girls are married before their 18th birthday adding to their responsibilities at tender age that results in girls halting their education. Extra domestic responsibilities also compel girls to leave their studies.
One more impediment is ‘social exclusion’. Certain groups of girls are more likely to be excluded from school because of caste, ethnicity, religion, or disability. Disabled children, and among them disabled girls, in particular, constitute a significant group that is denied access to education. There is dire need of proper strategy to end this bias.
The last one is a myth that religions prohibit girl education, though a trend has changed to a large extent, yet the girl is not allowed to have the same kind of education as her brother. Boys are allowed to join institutes of their choice but girls are restricted to homes. Some Hindus even consider girls incapable of studying Veda, however, Islamic ideologues mostly focus on imparting religious education to girls and not on contemporary education. Some Muslims and Hindus as well, believe learning domestic skills is sufficient for girls and do not think of sending girls to school even though there is no gender disparity in education in any religion. The Holy Qur’an states: Say: ‘Can those who have the knowledge and those who do not be alike?’ So only, the wise do receive the admonition. [Al-Zumar, 39:9.]. "So only those of His servants who have knowledge (of these realities with a vision and outlook) fear Him. Surely, Allah is Almighty, Most Forgiving. [Fatir, 35:28.]
It is evident from the above verses that Knowledge is neither gender-specific nor it is confined to religious knowledge and the importance of Knowledge has not been restricted within the purview of men by Almighty God, but we persevere in creating them ourselves? Several Prophetic traditions also talk directly about knowledge being obligatory and binding.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: Acquisition of knowledge is binding on all Muslims (both men and women without any discrimination). [Ibn Maja in al-Sunan]. He (PBUH) said at another place: Allah Almighty makes the path to paradise easier for him who walks on it for getting knowledge. [Muslim in al-Sahih.] etc. Some fear education empowers women and empowering perhaps means to make a woman able to overpower a man, which is the wrong opinion. Some believe school-going would affect her duties at home, they are also incorrect, because girls have already proved their worth in all walks of life. Thus, we need to be factual, not mythical and must realize the importance of girls' education.
The girl is an indispensable part of our life. As a mother, she is the first tutor of a child and can brighten the future of the nation by the good upbringing of her child. Educated mothers can keep hunger away as mother’s education improves children’s nutrition. Education is vital to eliminate malnutrition in the long term – especially education that empowers women.
According to UNESCO reports, mothers having an education at least up to primary or secondary level can play role in minimizing child deaths that occur due to malnutrition thereby saving 3 million lives. Educated mothers are more likely to ensure that their children receive the best nutrients to help them prevent or fight off ill health. They know more about appropriate health and hygiene practices and have more power in the home to make sure children’s nutrition needs are met. Studies show that educated girls are less likely to die in childbirth thus, 98000 lives can be saved.
Furthermore, as a sister and wife, she has a central role in the family. When she would be educated, there would significant amount of positive changes within every home and thus in society. Education enables individuals to function effectively in a range of adult roles, including worker, household provider, parent, spouse, family caretaker, citizen, and community participant. It is a proven fact girl education is a remarkably effective catalyst for social and economic growth in developing countries and has an overall huge impact on all of society.
Considering all these challenges, let us strive jointly to overcome them to achieve gender parity in education, in which the progress, prosperity of society and nation lies.