Importance of A Girls' Education

Educating young girls and women has a direct impact on the development of a country. An educated girl can grow up to become an educated mother who is not only more economically productive but also has the tools to educate her children and break negative generational cycles paving the way for a more prosperous future.

Advantages of Female Education

Building a society where girls and women are empowered by education brings advantages to all sectors in society which include a country’s social, economic, and practical well-being. Studies by Unicef show that living in a country where women and girls have access to a well-rounded education means a country that is growing and is stable.

When a country invests in the education of women and girls

Lifetime earnings of women dramatically increases
National growth rate rises
Child marriage rates decline
Child mortality rates fall
Maternal mortality rates fall
Child stunting drops

Despite the studied advantages to educating girls and women there are several, socio-cultural, economic, religious, and political barriers as well as personal factors and institutional obstacles that impede girls' access to a fair education.

Barries to Girls' and Womens Education - The Gambia

Religious barriers

In The Gambia, religious beliefs deeply influence societal norms and practices. Predominantly Islamic, the society often emphasises traditional roles for women, which prioritise domestic responsibilities over formal education. Some religious interpretations discourage co-educational settings, which can limit educational opportunities for girls, particularly at higher levels. Moreover, religious prioritisation of early marriages stops girls' education early on as they are expected to fulfill the roles of wives and mothers.

Socio-cultural and traditional barriers

Culturally, Gambian society often values male education over female education due to traditional gender roles that see women as caretakers and men as breadwinners. This cultural bias leads to a disparity in educational investment between boys and girls. Social expectations and norms also discourage girls from pursuing education beyond primary levels. Practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) also affect girls' school attendance and performance due to the associated health complications.

Socio-economic barriers

Socio-economic factors significantly hinder women's educational access in The Gambia. Many families live in poverty and are unable to afford schooling costs such as fees, uniforms, and supplies. Girls are often the first to be withdrawn from school when financial constraints arise since men primarily control household resources and decide what costs to prioritise. Additionally, the economic reliance on agricultural labour means that girls are frequently needed at home to help with farming or care for younger siblings, further restricting their educational opportunities.

Political and institutional barriers

While The Gambia has made strides in policy development to improve girls' education, implementation remains inconsistent. Political commitment can sometimes be superficial, and educational policies are not always effectively enforced. This lack of enforcement stems partly from inadequate funding and resources but is also influenced by political instability. Moreover, local leaders and decision-makers, who are predominantly male, may not prioritise or understand the challenges faced by girls in accessing education.