2016 Oct 16
by Azraa Killru
We can scream, run a hundred campaigns and create a flurry of social propaganda to highlight the importance of education and kill the discrimination against girls and women pursuing education, but hardly create any significant impact on the lives of girls barred from studying further. Looks like we will have to do a Malala to make any real change.
She was brave enough to get shot and resilient enough to survive death, all for education. But not every girl out there carries the same backbone. Yes, it does come down to their personal strength and determination because some of the reasons they can’t continue studying are far beyond poverty and financial limitations.
So, what are the reasons?
Every single day, more than 40,000 girls worldwide are married under the age of 18. For a year, the count is at 15 million. Some marriages are forced, whereas some girls willingly accept it, unaware that they are not only saying goodbye to education but a premature adieu to their childhood and much needed life lessons to continue a healthy marriage.
The brides that fall into this category are not necessarily hailing from poor households who can’t afford education. In fact, their wedding functions are often far more opulent than those who tie the knot in their late twenties. The fathers or head of the family spends eagerly for them because the sooner you get your daughters married, the lower your stress and BP levels will be, saved from worries about unmarried daughters. The affection and protectiveness behind this particular gesture cannot be painted as evil or heartless. But what they fail to grasp is how depriving your daughters a sound education is a recipe for disaster. Girls are given the best of education until Ordinary Level Examinations. Beyond this, educating them appears unnecessary because a low score is attributed towards the value of tertiary education for girls.
Even if they are educated, it is limited to early childhood teaching, culinary arts or dress making. These are the fixed checklist of what to educate your girls after OLs to prepare them for a married life. Fortunately now, there is ample awareness towards the role of psychology, hence young girls seek a certificate course in Psychology or Child Psychology.
However, not many even stand this chance. Blotted by cultural norms and limited world view, many families believe the role of the women is as a homemaker. Illiteracy or generation gaps cannot be held responsible for such ideologies, because sadly even younger men who are well educated prefer to keep their sisters and wives away from employment.
Here’s what goes amiss when girls don’t get an equal chance for education:
- Independence takes a big blow. The girls are solely dependent on their families to support them financially, which doesn’t teach them the essentials to handle everyday life on their own if need arises. As protective parents, the tendency to keep daughters in a safe cocoon is an inherent trait but life is full of unexpected twists. Education is an intangible wealth that guarantees security for years to come.
- They fail to know what their rights are. Knowing one’s social and economic rights are invaluable. It protects you from falling prey to violations and exploitation.
- Better knowledge helps women to become responsible mothers. They will be able to fare well in terms of nutrition, sanitisation and immunisation of their children. Early childhood development is key to the growth of healthy kids.
- When a woman is educated, she can positively contribute towards the financial needs of her dependents and economy.
“The growing number of females entering our workforce rose from 1.6 M in 1995 to 2.0 M in 2000 and 3.3 M in 2014. According to the Sri Lanka Labour Force Survey, in 2014 females accounted 39.0% of the employed labour force, as against 30.9% in 1995.
Labour force statistics disaggregated by occupation group indicate that the female workers are concentrated as professionals, agricultural and fishery, elementary occupations and crafts and related activities. Professionals are only 10%. Only about 2% of the females are working as managers and senior officials.”
But, try telling the elders of their families that they ought to send their daughters for an adequate education and employment because it will add to the economy’s GDP (and be prepared to get shot down with a patronising look!)
- When they are deprived of better education, and need a low skilled job, then they usually go to a nearby town or move far from home to secure employment. This makes them vulnerable for exploitation such as illegal sex trafficking or prostitution.
- Knowledge is authority. Women are vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse. When they can stand up on their own and speak against it, it gives them a strong voice to create a safe situation for living. Education provides them that power.
- Knowledge on sexual and reproductive health gives women the understanding to make proper family planning decisions. This can prevent many complications and even death. Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are one of the top reasons causing death among young girls in poorer countries.
It is not uncommon to hear pitiable tales of women losing their fathers or husbands and struggling to feed their families or handle responsibilities in the absence of the breadwinner. Many a times, relatives, friends or other generous philanthropists extend a helping hand. But it is not always the case. Self-confidence and self-esteem can cripple when they undergo such circumstances. Such situations force drastic actions such as turning towards illegal ways of earning, or falling prey to indecent proposals and sometimes suicide.
It is time to stop telling girls that education ends with Ordinary Levels or worse, to pull them off school even before that. No reason is good enough to deprive children from obtaining an education. It is the responsibility of every family member and community leader (if the child doesn’t have a caretaker or faces financial difficulties) to ensure the child obtains adequate learning to lead an independent life. If early marriage is in your books, it doesn’t have to be a hindrance for education. The number of women following academic or professional qualifications after marriage and childbirth is neither impossible nor unheard of. A change in perspective is all it takes.
