Empowering Women

Education plays a large part in community development

Women are an important resource for global development, but many of those living in developing countries do not reach their full potential because they never had the opportunity to receive a proper education.

In its annual “State of the World’s Children” report, UNICEF says 124 million children worldwide do not attend school — 9 million more girls than boys. The report says an estimated 65 million girls are being denied basic education, increasing the likelihood they will live in poverty or die young.

The reasons that girls are kept away from school are varied.

• Adverse cultural practices also contribute to this occurrence, because girls are more likely to stay home and be “taught” to be housewives. Formal education for them is not always seen as necessary.
• The inability of parents or guardians to bear related costs of education, including uniforms, stationery and food, as well as the opportunity costs of sending girls to school.
• Long distances from home to school, too few facilities and a lack of child-friendly environments in the schools that are available.
• Poverty is a major contributor. If a family has limited funds and has to be selective on whom to send to school, more often than not, it is going to be the boys.
• Lastly, if anyone is sick in the family or chores needs to be done at home, it is more likely that the girls will be the ones to stay away from school and assist with whatever tasks need to be done.

As girls drop out of school, their chances of rising out of poverty diminish. They struggle to provide for themselves, and their children, trapped in low-skilled, poorly paid, and insecure employment. These women cannot help but pass on to their own children the deprivation and disadvantage that kept them from realizing their potential. The cycle of poverty and inequality continues on.