It’s an essential strategy for achieving sustainable development,writes KHADIJAT OGIDO
Educating a girl-child is one of the most powerful tools for creating a sustainable, equitable, and prosperous society. The girl- child is provided with diverse basic knowledge,skills and training which contribute to national development. An educated child can only grow through a literate woman who has a greater chance of breaking the cycle of social vices by passing good knowledge to her daughter.
There is an adage that says, “Educate a man,you educate an individual,but educate a woman ,you educate a Nation “. This adage summarizes the essence of education to the girl-child.
Investing in girls’education transforms communities, countries and the entire world. Girls who receive an education are less likely to marry young and more likely to lead healthy, productive lives. They earn higher incomes, participate in the decisions that most affect them, and build better futures for themselves and their families.
Girls’ education strengthens economies and reduces inequality. It contributes to more stable, resilient societies that give all individuals – including boys and men – the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
But education for girls is about more than access to school. It’s also about girls feeling safe in classrooms and supported in the subjects and careers they choose to pursue – including those in which they are often under-represented.
A girl-child is described as a female child between infancy and early adulthood. During this period of the development of the girl- child, she is under the custody and supervision of adults who may be her parents or guardians and siblings who are older and more mature than she is.
According to United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF),research has shown that millions of girls do not have access to school despite the concerted efforts to push the cause forward.
According to UNESCO estimates, globally 129 million girls are out of school, including 32 million of primary school age, 30 million of lower-secondary school age, and 67 million of upper-secondary school age. In countries affected by conflict, girls are more than twice as likely to be out of school than girls living in non-affected countries.
Many women who made it in life today also contributed immensely to the growth of the country and also serving as role model to the girl-child. Women like Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti,Margaret Ekpo ,Grace Alele Williams, Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala,Flora Nwanpa, Onyeka Onwenu, etc. These women couldn’t have achieved it without good education, and were given the opportunity because it’s their right.
Malala Yousafzai a Pakistan activist said “let us remember: one book , one pen , one child , and one teacher can change the world “.
Michelle Obama said “when women are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous.
Investing in a girl- child education is not just a moral imperative, it is an essential strategy for achieving sustainable development and a better world for everyone.
