GIRL – CHILD EDUCATION
According to World Bank, Girls’ education goes beyond getting girls into school. It is also about ensuring that girls learn and feel safe while in school; complete all levels of education with the skills to effectively compete in the labor market; learn the socio-emotional and life skills necessary to navigate and adapt to a changing world; make decisions about their own lives; and contribute to their communities and the world.
130 million girls between the age of 6 and 17 are out of school and 15 million girls of primary school age with half of them in sub-Saharan Africa will never enter a classroom according to UNESCO undermining the fact that education is the greatest value a child can receive irrespective of if it is a boy or girl child.
Education is included as a fundamental right every child must receive irrespective of gender, religion, age, race and culture because it is child empowerment. Women should be sent to school not because being a graduate will make them more marketable for marriage but because it empowers them to attain heights of success. The mental, physical, social, spiritual, psychological and emotional developments of a child are dependent on the value placed on them.
A popular philosophy says “When you educate a man, you educate a person but when you educate a woman you educate a nation.” The first form of education received is informal education done at home. The mother is the teacher. An educated mother therefore translates to educated and empowered children who will make positive impacts in the society. Education also presents a girl child the opportunity to compete with the male counterparts for positions and careers of interest. The female acquires knowledge and skills needed to advance their status for self-actualization, self-improvement and social interactions.
The society remains the beneficiary of girl-child education because it produces functional citizens who make informed decisions that promote a healthy society. The boy and girl child in Africa should be given equal rights, resources, protections, and opportunities. Just like the boy child, a girl child has goals she intends to achieve. Equal education for all genders involves quality compulsory education received in a child-friendly environment with equal participation. It is time to join the movement to empower all women and girls through education.
Speak Wednesday is an initiative of Centre for Family Health Initiative to stop the cycle of domestic violence by breaking the silence around gender based violence. Join us every Wednesday on all our social media handles for more episodes.
