In a previous article, we discussed some of the different ways to empower women, one of which was through education. I remember emphasizing the unique role education plays in women’s empowerment.
According to an African Proverb, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”
In this article, we will dig a little into women’s education with an introduction to some historical content and focus on the importance of women’s education. While we do all that, I hope you enjoy our time together.
What Is Women’s Education?
Let me start by noting that this discussion about women’s education is not limited to adults but females, including girl’s education.
Education is synonymous with training, schooling, teaching, instruction, cultivation, etc. Education can mean the knowledge acquired or the gradual process and act of acquiring knowledge through learning and instruction.
Women’s education is not far from that. But in this case, the focus on knowledge acquisition is towards the female or women. Therefore, Women’s Education, also known as female education, refers to the academic training given to women or girl children to empower them knowledge-wise and aid their self-development and skill acquisition.
Over the years, the idea of women’s education has been a controversial subject of discussion and consideration, and the good thing is that recognition for women is in progress in this aspect. Their inclusivity in the educational system with equity is a great win for humanity, and as much as I can say, the result is in the positive direction.
Reports have shown women with disabilities experiencing improvement in that aspect of education and more inclusiveness of females in digital services, including digital technology and digital skills. Also, we have female representation in STEM educational fields. That is, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
How about we take a look at some statistical reports? I believe you would like to know more about how we got here.
When Did Women Get The Right To Education?
According to this report from the UNESCO monitoring tool, about two percent of countries worldwide restrict the rights of female education, either through exam limitations, prohibition from school attendance, or other restrictions.
In addition, while about 16 percent of countries worldwide do not include the right to education in their constitutions, 84 percent legally protect the right to education. Among those countries, 58 percent explicitly guarantee the right to education without gender-related restrictions or discrimination.
That is not very impressive, or is it? I believe it is a report in the right direction as opposed to some centuries ago. Before that, here is one question people often ask: which statement best describes society’s view on women and education in the early 1800s? The answer is that women were the gender viewed as only needing to learn to read, write, and do simple mathematics. That was not so much a bad idea, or was it? It was not so bad because they were allowed to learn something. It was not so good either because men had more educational privileges.
But when did women get the right to education? The answer differs by region, but generally, women’s inclusion in the educational system took a positive turn between the 18th and 19th centuries when women began to attend universities.
I shall not fail to acknowledge at least two men who contributed years behind towards that reality. People like Thomas More, the man who advocated for female education in his book Utopia, and Martin Luther, the reformer who called for school establishments for boys and girls during his reformations in around 1524, through his writings.
Those men and more people have in one way or the other, encouraged the inclusiveness of women in the educational sector, and the progress to date we observed from UNESCO is in the green (I believe). However, more improvement is expected, especially with equal rights for both males and females in education from restrictive countries because it is a fundamental human right of the people.
The Importance Of Women’s Education
The importance of education cannot be over-emphasized. According to a quote from Malala Yousafzai, “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.” When it comes to women’s education, it becomes more life-changing because it is the key to their freedom and empowerment.
The importance of women’s education is in two faces: their personal development and the world’s development. If you read our article on women’s empowerment, you would notice that at some point, I emphasized focusing on women first before what the world can gain from empowering them because they deserve to be empowered.
While providing education for women or females is a way of thanking them for their contributions to the world, we can rest assured that the effect of doing so is worldwide. Like Kofi Annan said, and I quote, “To educate girls is to reduce poverty,” let us see in detail the importance of women’s education.
Personal Development
Women’s Education is important for every female’s development, health, and well-being. Education for women helps them to know more about themselves and the world around them.
Educated women are self-assured, self-confident, independent, and have the knowledge and skills to improve themselves, take good care of their families, and contribute to nation-building. They get more opportunities and advantages to empower themselves, financially and otherwise, with high self-worth. That is a good thing.
Worldwide Developments
While women benefit from education, the world benefits much more from their education. Considering the population of women worldwide and their willpower, we can all agree that their involvement in the world’s activities, especially in the economic and political sectors, is of strategic value.
No wonder Michelle Obama, a former US First Lady, said, and I quote, “No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.”
Therefore, women’s education will encourage increased literacy, economic growth, leadership diversification, enhanced community involvement, gender equality, fewer child marriages, and a healthy world with a loving, caring, and peaceful society. Support female education for a world of equity.
