Problems of Women Education

CHALLENGES OF WOMEN EDUCATION IN THE GAMBIA

Although the Gambian Constitution and international human rights treaties ratified by the country have recognised the importance of educating women and girls’ fundamental right to education, significant women education issues persist. The problems of female education are evident in the lower completion rates for girls at the primary level and the disparities in access to education between rural and urban areas.

In the western African country of The Gambia, challenges of women education are pronounced, with women facing high rates of low education. Only 58.6% of girls complete lower secondary school, and the literacy rate among young female adults is 52.3%, which is 13% lower than the literacy rates for men of the same age. These statistics underscore the urgent need to address the education system in The Gambia and the necessity of female education.
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The Gambian Government has implemented additional policy measures and programmes to address the problems of women education and fulfil its legal obligation to protect girls’ right to education. Recognising the challenges of women education and the necessities of female education, the government has committed to improving the education system in The Gambia. Initiatives like Education for All (EFA) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were adopted as part of this commitment, highlighting the significance of educating women and ensuring access to quality education for all Gambians at a basic level (UNICEF, 2012).

"Only 58.6% of girls in The Gambia complete lower secondary school, highlighting the urgent need to address the challenges of women education."

Gender Inequality in Education

In contrast to previous data, these initiatives were significant steps towards addressing gender disparity, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) stated in a study. As a result, in 2010 the country registered a Gross Enrolment Rate (GER) of 88% at the primary level, with a Net Enrolment Rate (NER) of 70% for girls. Therefore, inequalities in enrolment do not exist at the primary education level, the report indicated. However, the report shows that disparity exists at the upper basic and senior secondary level, which is completed by only 28% of girls against 31% of boys.​

Women Education Issues : Challenges and Causes

Girls’ dropping out of the school system in The Gambia, before completing the nine years required basic education is a widespread phenomenon that needs serious consideration. These problems of female education are rooted in a variety of economic, social, and cultural factors.
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Factors that may cause this include:

Poverty and Education in Gambia

One of the primary challenges of women education in The Gambia is economic. Despite the importance of educating women, many girls drop out of school due to financial constraints. Poverty forces families to prioritise short-term survival over long-term educational investment. This results in a lower participation of women in the workforce, with only 48.9% of women employed, which ultimately slows economic growth. By increasing female education, The Gambia can expand its skilled workforce, reduce poverty, and achieve sustained economic growth.
This is an attributable factor that may cause girls to early dropout of school. Poor families cannot provide adequate clothing including uniforms, books, bags and shoes for all their children. Also in certain circumstances, children have to go into the streets to sell water for their families keeping. Additionally, some stays in their household to often help look after siblings of large family units.​

Early Marriage Impact on Education

In The Gambia, early marriages play a big role in stopping girls from going to school. In this regard, once girls get married their education takes a backseat to their marriage life which encompasses being a mother and a wife. Although in 2016 the Gambian authorities took a significant step towards ending child marriage by amending the Children’s Act 2005 criminalising child marriage, a UNICEF (2016) report reveals that 40 per cent of women aged 20 – 49 in The Gambia were married before the age of 18 years and, while 16 per cent of women of the same age cohort married before they turned 15 years old.
Cultural norms and societal expectations contribute to the problems of female education. In rural areas, girls are often expected to marry young and take on domestic roles, limiting their educational opportunities. Promoting the need of female education can help break down these barriers, leading to greater social cohesion and reduced gender-based discrimination.

Lack of Women Representation in Politics

​The Gambia currently has a very low representation of women in politics, only 8.6% of seats in parliament are held by women. This is one of the lowest percentages of the world. This low level of political participation is linked to the lack of educational opportunities for women. A quality education would provide girls with the knowledge about their rights, civic duties, and governance structures, empowering them to take on leadership roles and advocate for justice. Without education, women are less likely to engage in the political process, further perpetuating gender inequality in governance.

"3 in every 5 girls don't complete secondary school in Africa" 
A Short Report on Reasons why many African Children are out of Schools - BBC What's New

Access to Technology

A major problem of female education in The Gambia is the limited access to technology. With only 33% of the population having access to the internet, girls are often excluded from the digital world. This lack of exposure to technology prevents them from acquiring necessary skills and knowledge that are increasingly essential in today’s job market. Without access to technology, girls in The Gambia are at a significant disadvantage in both their education and future career prospects.

Insufficient Legal Awareness

Another significant women education issue is the lack of legal knowledge among women. Many girls and women are unaware of their legal rights, including those related to education and protection against discrimination. This lack of awareness is a barrier to seeking justice and advocating for their educational rights. The absence of legal knowledge means that women are less likely to challenge unfair practices or demand equal educational opportunities, perpetuating the gender gap in education.

Importance Of Educating Women

According to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), there is an insufficient number of female teachers to serve as role models, especially in rural Gambia. Additionally, most girls who drop out come from uneducated family backgrounds, whereas the parents themselves did not complete the nine years basic education cycle requirement. Understanding these issues and their underlying causes is essential for addressing the problems of girls' education and improving the education policy in The Gambia.
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Finally, despite the policy and legal frameworks created by the Gambia government towards protecting girl’s right to education, its provision remains compounded with a lack of inclusive education for women and girls’ with disabilities, inadequacy of school infrastructure, including sanitary facilities, girls and women living in poverty, child marriages and early pregnancies.​

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