We come across myriad posts and clippings talking about the importance of education for the girl child. While many of us agree and support the initiatives wholeheartedly, there is still a long way to go for a girl child to complete her education in the country. Those coming from a privileged background have the option to go for higher studies, however, for the underprivileged, even basic education is a dream. Poverty-stricken children confront numerous obstacles to attend school, but the stakes are especially high for girls. There are 130 million girls who are not currently enrolled in school around the world. Investing in their futures has the potential to benefit both them and their families.
Girls benefit in all facets of their lives when they acquire a good education. Various studies have shown that women with secondary education are less likely to be victims of domestic abuse and have higher psychological well-being. They go on to earn more money, and their children are healthier as a result.
Keeping girls in school fosters economic growth, peace, and even aids in the battle against climate change. Here are seven obstacles that come in the way of girls’ education.
1. Cost
According to the World Bank, poverty is the most crucial factor that influences whether a girl would be able to attend school. Even in locations where parents are not required to pay school fees, keeping up with the expenditures of transportation, textbooks, and uniforms can be tough. Parents frequently rely on the income of their daughters to sustain their families, and sending a girl to school implies she will spend less time helping around the house.
If a family cannot afford to send all of their children to school, they are more likely to send boys rather than girls. Girls are forced to quit learning because they can't manage their periods when their parents have to choose between buying necessities like food and sanitary napkins. Families will also engage in child marriage if they are unable to provide for them.
2. Child Marriage
Child marriage, defined as the marriage of a child under the age of 18, occurs throughout the world, but it is more prevalent in underdeveloped countries. For a variety of reasons, parents allow their daughters to marry as children. Some parents assume they are sheltering their children from the dangers, or the stigma of having a relationship outside of marriage. However, child brides who do not receive an education are more likely to have an early pregnancy, malnutrition, domestic violence, and pregnancy difficulties. Child marriage alleviates financial hardship for families in need but also makes it more difficult for girls to achieve financial independence without education.
3. Menstruation
A girl's menstruation occurs once a month from the time she reaches puberty, and she may miss school and employment for a considerable chunk of her life. Menstruation is stigmatised all across the world, and the cultural guilt associated with the natural process makes girls too ashamed to fully engage in society.
Some girls miss school because they can't afford sanitary goods or don't have access to clean water and sanitation to keep themselves clean and avoid infections. Also, when there are no separate bathrooms at the school, girls stay at home during their periods to avoid being sexually abused or harassed. Girls with special needs and disabilities are disproportionately deprived of the facilities and resources necessary for effective menstrual hygiene.
4. Household Chores
Girls' low self-esteem and lack of interest in education are caused by forced household labour. Girls are more likely to take on adult tasks such as caring for sick parents or babysitting siblings.
Girls spend 40 per cent more time than boys on unpaid activities such as cooking, cleaning, and collecting water and firewood around the world. Some of these responsibilities put females at risk of sexual violence.
5. Gender-Based Violence
Physical and sexual assault, harassment, and bullying are all examples of gender-based violence. Experiencing rape, coercion, discrimination, and other forms of abuse negatively impacts girls' enrolment, involvement, and accomplishment, as well as increased absenteeism and dropout rates.
Every year, an estimated 246 million girls and boys are harassed and mistreated on their way to school, with girls being targeted disproportionately, according to a report by UNICEF. If their daughters must travel lengthy and dangerous distances to school, parents are less inclined to allow them to do so.
6. Conflict And Crisis
In conflict and crisis-affected communities, girls and women face greater barriers to attending school. As per a UNICEF study, in countries afflicted by armed conflict or natural catastrophes, an estimated 39 million girls and teenage girls lack access to an excellent education. Refugee females are half as likely as refugee boys to attend school.
There are three times as many attacks on girls' schools as there are on boys' schools around the world. Children are at risk of death or injury when schools are ambushed, infrastructure is destroyed, and education systems are undermined in the long run. Without education, females are unable to cope with the crisis and contribute to the rebuilding of their communities.
7. Trafficking
Further, the UNICEF report also stated that the number of girls who have been reported as victims of human trafficking is on the rise. In 2016, girls made up 23 per cent of all trafficking victims worldwide, while boys made up seven per cent. Girls are trafficked for forced labour and marriage, but the majority are forced into commercial sex.
Trafficked women and girls experience high rates of physical and sexual violence, as well as mental and physical health problems. Girls who are subjected to this type of abuse are more likely to become trapped in a cycle of poverty and slavery, preventing them from receiving an education.
In conclusion, to safeguard future generations, we must first invest in resources and regulations that help to avoid these challenges.