On the surface, especially in modern society, you might not immediately recognise gender inequality in schools. It would shock many to know that an estimated 129 million girls worldwide remain out of school as a result of multiple barriers to their education.1 To quote UNICEF, ‘gender equality in education benefits every child.2 Investing in girls’ education globally has the power to transform ‘communities, countries, and the entire world.’ It is the responsibility of all of us, whether educational professionals, parents, or simply human beings, to ensure that all our children achieve the best education. Therefore, the gender disparities in education are particularly concerning. In this blog post, we’ll look at gender equality in education and the impact this can have upon our society.
For children living in poverty, there are numerous barriers towards accessing primary and secondary education, but studies have found that this is more so an issue for girls than boys, and here’s why…
Above is just an overview. For more information associated with each of these barriers, Global Citizen published an informative article: Barriers to Girls' Education Around the World.
Other than the moral right of all children to achieve a quality education, there are many benefits of ensuring that education is gender-equitable. Investing in female education will…
The benefits of gender-equitable education are incredible, and achieved through ensuring that boys and girls achieve the same opportunities. This is easier said than done, of course, and many communities face difficult circumstances. The fight towards gender equality is not a new concept but one which we are still fighting towards.4 By providing women with the ability to live a life of financial freedom, to progress within various job markets, and to access the same roles and wages as men, we create a society that is equal, and one which will prosper. All of this begins with children and education. Only 66% of countries have achieved gender parity in primary education; 45% in lower secondary education, and only 25% in upper secondary education. It’s not simply getting young girls into school that is the issue, it’s keeping them there. Ensuring that they can access the education, and also that they are safe and cared for whilst there comes from removing the barriers they face. The articles linked here are a great place to start if you’re looking to further your knowledge about the gender gap in education: 21st Century Challenges and We Need Gender Equality in Education.
This article has outlined some of the barriers faced by many girls around the world but it barely scratches the surface.
This topic is both hugely emotive and important. Gender equality in education has become more of a priority in recent years, and rightly so, with many world leaders and think tanks pushing for increased access to education for girls and young women across the globe. The UN, UNESCO, and UNICEF (amongst so many others) are leading the charge towards a better and brighter future for women around the globe, citing both human rights and societal benefits as the reasoning for this. As professionals, we also have a right to ensure that within our learning environments we provide a gender-equitable education experience, leaving behind any biases or feelings, and simply doing what is best for the children we teach. Not only is it our moral obligation, but it is our way of contributing to a shift in society.5