Back to School, Back to Dreams: How Girls’ Education Shapes the FutureBack-to-School season is a time of excitement, fresh notebooks, crisp uniforms, and the promise of new opportunities. But for many girls in The Gambia, that promise remains uncertain. Only 58.6% complete lower secondary school, and just 52.3% of young women are literate, trailing significantly behind their male peers. Globally, progress has been made. UNESCO reports that since 2015, millions more girls have completed each stage of schooling. Yet, UNICEF warns that 122 million girls are still out of school, and only 24% of countries have reached gender parity in upper secondary education. The Girl’s Guide to Thriving This School Year Beyond the Books, education is more than lessons. It’s a launchpad for independence, leadership, and lasting change. This anchor blog unpacks why girls’ education shapes not just individual futures but the well-being of entire communities, and how together, we can turn Back to School into Back to Dreams. Credit: BBC News Africa Why Back-to-School Season is More Than Just New UniformsFor girls, returning to school is far more than an academic milestone; it’s a step toward freedom, independence, and opportunity. According to a World Bank report, women with secondary education may expect to earn nearly twice as much as those with no education. Every additional year of secondary schooling lowers the risk of child marriage by around six percentage points and increases the likelihood of healthier, more prosperous families. In The Gambia, having the right school essentials, such as uniforms, shoes, and supplies, can mean the difference between attending classes and staying home. The SAGG Foundation’s Sponsor a Girl programme ensures these basic needs are met, allowing students to focus on learning rather than financial strain. As explored in our supporting post, School Bags and Big Dreams, providing these seemingly small resources creates a powerful ripple effect: girls attend school consistently, participate with confidence, and build the foundation for lifelong success. Back-to-School season is the perfect moment to ensure every girl has not just the books in her hand, but the belief in her future.  The Hidden Barriers Girls Face in Returning to SchoolWhile progress has been made in advancing girls’ education worldwide, many students still face obstacles that boys are far less likely to encounter. In The Gambia, SAGG Foundation research shows that only 58.6% of girls complete lower secondary school, with financial hardship and gender-based expectations often forcing them to drop out early. The main challenges include: Financial hardshipsParents in low-income settings often drop girls from school when school fees and uniforms become unaffordable. A 2024 report on families in East Africa found that in such cases, girls were more likely than boys to stay home when resources ran short. Cultural norms – Early marriageUNICEF reports that 12 million girls were married before age 18 in 2022, and while progress has been made, child marriage rates remain high, compelling many girls to drop out of school. Distance and safetyHuman Rights Watch highlights how the lack of safe transport and harassment on the way to school can deter attendance, particularly for girls, in rural and conflict-affected areas. Menstrual hygiene productsResearch in 2024 found that 1 in 10 adolescent girls miss school during their menstrual periods, often due to a lack of access to hygiene facilities and products. The Ripple Effect of Educating One GirlInvesting in a girl’s education doesn’t just transform her life; it uplifts families, strengthens communities, and fuels national growth. In countries across Africa, each additional year of schooling can raise a girl’s future earnings by up to 20%, and much of that income is reinvested into her family’s health, nutrition, and education. The impact is even more striking on a global scale. Girls without secondary education can lose up to half of their potential lifetime earnings, while 12 million girls a year still face early marriage, cutting short their education and limiting their opportunities. Meanwhile, if every girl completed secondary school, the world could unlock between $15 trillion and $30 trillion in lifetime productivity gains. At the SAGG Foundation, this ripple effect is already visible. Through our Sponsor a Girl programme, one girl’s success often inspires her siblings, friends, and neighbours to stay in school. When a single student graduates, she becomes a role model, proving that with support and opportunity, education can be the spark that lights up an entire community. An infographic showcasing the SaGG Foundation’s impact!  How You Can Help Girls Go Back to School This YearSupporting girls’ education is about more than covering school costs; it’s about removing barriers and creating lasting change. Whether you can give time, resources, or your voice, there’s a way to make an impact. Sponsor a GirlThrough the Sponsor a Girl programme, you can cover a student’s fees, uniform, and books, helping her stay focused on learning. Evidence shows that investing in girls’ education delivers some of the highest returns for communities, boosting both equality and economic growth.
Make a DonationEvery bit helps, and any amount of donation made would support a girl's education. Textbooks, safe transport, and menstrual supplies can make the difference between a girl staying in school or dropping out. Access to essential resources is proven to increase school attendance and retention rates in underserved areas. Become Volunteer or Charity ChampionSpreading real stories of girls overcoming barriers and succeeding in school has the power to unite communities and inspire change. Social media and personal networks can become powerful tools to amplify these voices. Become a Charity Champion & Advocate: Help spread the word about SaGG’s mission. Share our story, raise awareness in your community, and inspire others to support girls’ education in The Gambia. Volunteer Your Skills: Join our team by mentoring girls through our Charity Champions Mentoring Programme, supporting digital marketing efforts, or assisting with fundraising initiatives. Your time and expertise can help us empower more young women to achieve their dreams. Every effort, big or small, contributes to the vision of a future where every girl can go from classroom to career, from dreams to reality. This Back-to-School season, let’s make sure every girl has the chance to go from classroom to career, from dreams to reality. Sponsor a Girl Today or learn more about how your support changes lives. Read Our Featured Blogs and More!
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