Celebrating the rise of girl child education: A milestone in achieving gender equality

Girls face several challenges in accessing education

Over the past few decades, Ghana has made considerable progress in girls’ education.

There has been a significant so­cietal shift in the value and priority given to girl child education, which is now seen as a fundamental right and a crucial element of a prosperous society.

The country is close to achieving gender parity in enrollment at the pri­mary and secondary education levels.

Girls face several challenges in ac­cessing education, including poverty, gender inequality, distance to school, child marriage, child labour, training, menstruation cycles at school, costs of education etc.

However, the relentless efforts of activists, educators, and policymakers have led to a remarkable transforma­tion in girl child education.

One of the key improvements in girl child education is the rise in enrollment rates. As per the Unit­ed Nations (UN), the global primary school enrollment rate for girls has increased from 73 per cent in 2000 to 83 per cent in 2018.

This achievement indicates that more girls now have access to basic education and the necessary skills to build a better future.

There has also been a substantial increase in the number of females attending secondary schools as com­pared to males. This change is a tes­tament to the efforts of governments and organisations to ensure that girls receive high-quality education.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), along with other partners, is working to ensure that education professionals receive gender training and continue to address barriers to pave a clear way for girls in Ghana to make progress in basic education.

There are also attempts to reach girls at the Senior High School (SHS) with a focus on STEM (Science, Tech­nology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and skill development.

UNICEF is also actively working on reforming school curriculums so that issues of equity, gender, and inclusion are adequately embedded in them.

Teachers are also being trained to demonstrate professional competence in gender issues and creating a teach­ing workforce that meets the needs of disadvantaged girls and boys.

In a recent interview with some young girls from the Osu Presbyterian School, they expressed gratitude for the opportunity to attend school.

One girl said, “I am happy to be given the freedom to go to school. I was told that back in the 90s, it was not like that, so if I can go to school today, I am happy.”

Another girl added, “I am happy to be in school so I can compete with the boys who think they control the world. Our mothers didn’t have the same opportunities we have today, so I am grateful for the chance to learn and grow.”

Research has shown that educating girls benefits not only the girls them­selves but also their families, commu­nities, and societies as a whole. Ed­ucated girls are more likely to marry later, have fewer children, and earn higher incomes, leading to improved health, economic growth, and social cohesion.

While there is still much work to be done to ensure that all girls have equal access to education, the progress made in recent years is truly remarkable.

As we continue to strive for gender equality and inclusive education sys­tems, it is important to celebrate the achievements that have already been made and to continue pushing for a brighter future for all girls around the world.

.The author is a student of the University of Media Arts and Commu­nication

Email: leahdegraft18@gmail.com

 By Leah De-Graft Takyi