She’s currently paying fees to send Linda’s elder brother to university, and right now can’t afford to send her daughter back to repeat her final year. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Girls’ education strengthens economies and … Vanessa says that she raised the money needed to pay Linda’s school fees, as well as the cost of her lodging with a local family within walking distance of the secondary school, and funded Linda’s education for four years. Education in Nigeria is a topic that is always on people’s minds. In some African countries, such as Burkina Faso, girls are unlikely to attend school for such basic reasons as a lack of private latrine facilities for girls. Nonetheless, she describes opening her letter of acceptance as the happiest day of her life. In sub-Saharan Africa, 33.3 million* girls of primary and lower secondary school age are out of school. In so doing, it addressed (1) what are the misconceptions regarding girl-child education in Africa. Nigeria is among the West African countries that have the highest number of girls that are out of … Girl Child education is one of the challenges facing most African countries in the 21st century. Yet we also know that child marriage and risks of early pregnancy continue to pose a major barrier to schooling for many girls. Yearly, on or around October 11 (International Day of the Girl Child), to deliberate on the “AGE Report,” and – most importantly – agree on executable, measurable, and sustainable actions to promote girls’ education. (2) What are the challenges facing girl-child education in Africa? It accompanies and complements the global 2012 Because I am a Girl report on girls’ education. I believe that girl child education is pivotal to moving our society forward. Girl Child Africa (GCA) is focused on promoting girls’ access to quality education in critically affected rural communities across Africa where girls’ education is empirically proven to be hugely challenged. Yet, many barriers to education for girls remain. Execute projects to ensure girls’ education through scholarships, school supplies, facility upgrade, and mentorship. Michael Aboya’s ‘Songs of Freedom’ wins Best Photo of the Year… Editorials. She admits that she fell into bad company at school, and that away from the watchful eye of her family, she allowed her schoolwork to slip. This book examines critically girl child education, democratic governance and sustainable development in Africa. Happily, traditions are changing, and the numbers of girls attending school is growing by the year. If you need to flag this entry as abusive. Figures from Benin, Ivory Coast and Ethiopia show that less than 60 girls per 100 boys are currently enrolled in second level education. Child Education The Cell Cell phone texting and sex texting is increasing exponentially. Mwangi, (2004) wrote that a combination of poverty, disease and backward cultural practices continued to deny the girl-child her right to education. The fact that women account for nearly three-quarters of the 300 farmers who are working on their farm project, women now have a greater say in local decision-making. “In the village I am wasting my time. However, Linda faces a crisis that provides some insight into the complexities of life for rural poor people in Africa, and girls in particular. Pervasive poverty and persistent cultural attitudes, including forced early marriages and child labour, continue to be the main obstacles to girls’ education in sub-Saharan Africa. More educated women tend to be healthier, earn more income, have fewer children, and provide better health care and education to their own children, all of which can lift households out of poverty. Together, we will improve girls education. RF Gardens unveils ‘The Garden Ikoyi’, a sanctuary for happiness in… Mary had a little child – a short story excerpt. On a recent visit to Malawi with my organisation, Self Help Africa, I spent time with a mother and daughter whose story underlined to me both the challenges faced by mothers across Africa, and the unquenchable desire that they have to give their daughters the best chances that they can. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. Africa’s Year of Return should go beyond shows and festivals. Too many girls, because of who they are or where they’re born, face unique challenges. Mairo Mandara, CIFF Senior Fellow, reproductive, maternal and child health expert, writes on the landscape of girls’ education in Africa, and the pathway to change. She might change her mind, but she’s young. Girl Child Education In Africa Search. No matter the argument that there seems to be an increase in divorce rates and absentee mothers. It was not very long ago that technology made it possible to connect with a person at anytime and in... 2885 Words; 12 Pages; Do You Agree Or Disagree With The Following Statement? About (English version): In this presentation, we will first of all try to explain the key concepts in the title, namely, girl-child and education. “It’s not what I want. This paper examines girl-child education in Africa. In many households, the work done by girl children is at the expense of their education. It’s a property she inherited from her own mother and one which, alongside a small fish trading business, has allowed her to send all of her kids to school. Kaduna — Some emirs have expressed worry over the poor record of girl-child education in five northern states. As a result of that failure, Linda is now living back at home, helping her mother around the house and the farm, and biding her time, hoping against hope that her mother will find the money, and be able to send her back to school to repeat her final exams. Education cannot be blamed however. Today is National Voter Registration Day! We made it easy for you to exercise your right to vote. Search Results. Optimistically, with our contribution to existing laudable efforts in this regard, we can collectively empower girls to become better influencers, meaningful participants, and positive contributors to a peaceful and developed Africa. Figures from Benin, Ivory Coast and Ethiopia show that less than 60 girls per 100 boys are currently enrolled in second level education. She’s particularly proud that her only daughter, Linda Kampira, who is 18, has gone far further in school than she ever did. Vanessa Brown lives on a two-acre farm close to the town of Balaka in southern Malawi. Girls are much more likely to stay out of school than boys. Girls’ education is a major priority. it also stipulate a free and compulsory education for children between the ages 6 through 15 years. However, a majority of the 100 million children not in school worldwide are girls, and at secondary school level in Africa, far fewer girls than boys complete their education. In recent years, the situation with education has significantly improved, but there are still several issues with the girl child education. It was a real surprise. But the effects do not end with that child. GIRL-CHILD EDUCATION IN AFRICA . They earn higher incomes, participate in the decisions that most affect them, and build better futures for themselves and their families. The bond between mother and daughter can be a strong one, a familial connection like no other. African girls are traditionally expected to help their mothers - in the fields, gathering water and fuel, with the preparation of food, and with the care of the young and the elderly. What would your life be like with only five years of schooling? It can also be dangerous. Precolonial Africa was mostly made up of tribes who often migrated depending on seasons, availability of fertile soil, and political circumstances. Across the region, 9 million girls between the ages of about 6 and 11 will never go to school at all, compared to 6 million boys, according to UIS data. This is the first pan-Africa Because I am a Girl report, prepared by Plan International’s Regional Office of Eastern and Southern Africa and our West Africa Regional Office. Proud to tell me that she had been ‘best in class’ throughout her eight years at the village primary school, Linda says that she was confident that her grades would get her into second-level. If Linda’s happiest day was being accepted into school, then the saddest moment for her was when she received the results of her final (fourth year) exams last summer. critically affected rural communities in the bottom five African countries-in-focus for the year. Human Rights Watch respectfully submits this written presentation to contribute testimony from children to the discussion on the impact of Covid-19 on children … Vanessa Brown is determined to make her daughter’s dreams come true, but it’s tough. By the time they become adolescents, the exclusion rate for girls is 36% compared to 32% for boys. On International Women’s Day, let’s remember the challenges girls face in education. “I love having Linda around here, but I know that it is wrong.”. For many girls around the world, this is the most education they can expect and they are the lucky ones. Not now.”. In Kenya, girl–child education is elusive. In addition (3), which methods could be applied to solve the misconceptions and challenges facing girl-child education? Part of HuffPost News. More girls than boys drop out of school before completing secondary or tertiary education in Africa. critically affected rural communities in the bottom five African countries-in-focus for the year. Over one-fifth of children between the ages of 6 and 11 and one-third between the ages of 12 and 14 are out of school. In this article, we will try to tackle the girl child education in Nigeria problems and prospects. All rights reserved. “I know that Linda doesn’t want to be a farmer. Many African communities do not support empowerment of women and to be specific, supporting a girl child to become a leader or rather a person of substance in our society. Therefore, power was decentralized in precolonial Africa ( many people held some form of authority as such power was not concentrated in a particular person or an institution). Globally, women account for two-thirds of the 750 million adults without basic literacy skills. Girls who receive an education are less likely to marry young and more likely to lead healthy, productive lives. This number rises to 52.2 million when taking into account girls of upper secondary school age. Girl Child Africa (GCA) is focused on promoting girls’ access to quality education in critically affected rural communities across Africa where girls’ education is empirically proven to be hugely challenged. “I feel for her, and I worry for her,” she says. In sub-Saharan Africa, 40 percent of girls marry before age 18, and African countries account for 15 of the 20 countries with the highest rates of child … Foster an enabling environment for girls’ education. Then we will present and discuss the issues/factors in the girl- child education, citing examples from some African countries. Tap here to turn on desktop notifications to get the news sent straight to you. As her mother I respect her choices, and if she wants to have a life and a career somewhere else, I will be happy for her,” she says. Not any more. There is a direct correlation between a child’s gender and the possibility of realizing their rights and enjoying their full potential, with social norms favouring boys over girls in most aspects of life. This is necessitated in view of the growing number of uneducated girls in affected communities, and its connected myriad of effects on homes/families, communities, nations, and the continent. “I became pregnant at the age of 17, and left school in my final year of primary,” she told me. One is the Girls Education Movement (GEM), which was launched in South Africa in 2003. Arts & Culture. Various programs have been developed to work to improve girls’ education in South Africa. Nevertheless, we are aware in 2008, approximately 10.1 million children were out-of-school in the basic education system. I realized that there was a big world out there, and I want to see it,” she said. It is undeniable that education plays a pivotal role in developing a child’s well-being. Essays on Girl Child Education In Africa. International Day of the Girl Child is designated by the UN as a day to recognize girls' rights and the unique challenges they face across the world. The World Innovation Summit for Education in Doha, Qatar, has awarded its 2014 prize to a British educator for helping millions of young girls in sub-Saharan Africa remain in school. “I saw girls just like me going in and out of offices. She speaks about a ‘eureka’ moment last year when she visited Malawi’s second city, Blantyre, with her mother. Linda tells me that she wants to go to university. In Africa, where many girls spend their formative years at the right hand of their mothers, it can be a cross-generational relationship that is both emotional and practical. Many of my friends are already married, some are pregnant, others have babies already,” she told me. Gender inequality has a profound impact on the lives of children in Eastern and Southern Africa. Meet Michael Aboya, Agora Awards 2019 Hero. The Nigerian constitution clearly stipulates that every child, boy or girl, has the right to education. A girl generated big data initiative also can go a long way in helping fill the data gap on girls’ education, both on basic education data that we have seen is often missing in many countries, but also more importantly on sensitive issues such as school-related gender-based violence and child marriage. Leading to a yearly “African Girls’ Education (AGE) Report,” concentrating on Africa-OnTheRise. Save the Children’s Every Last Child campaign aims to reach the most vulnerable children, those left behind by the world’s progress in child health, education and protection — including girls. History Education in Precolonial Africa. ©2021 Verizon Media. She wants to be a journalist. Their disadvantage starts early: 23% of girls are out of primary school compared to 19% of boys. Home. The role played by girls in many African communities can come at some cost to their own personal development. The education challenge of Africa's girls, CEO of international agricultural and development organisation Self Help Africa, Sign up for membership to become a founding member and help shape HuffPost's next chapter. Almost 60% of children in sub-Saharan Africa between the ages of 15 and 17 are not in school. Vanessa, who will be 40 this year, says that the odds are stacked against women in rural Malawi, but that attitudes are changing. “Girls’ education is so inex-tricably linked with the other facets of human development that to make it a priority is to also make change on a range of other fronts, from health and status of women to … In such cases, it only implies that something is broken perhaps in that marriage and needs tending to. Some emirs that were passionate about girl- child education have lamented that Borno Zamfara, Gombe, Sokoto and kebbi states have the lowest records of girl-child education in Nigeria. I let myself down and I let my family down”, she said. However, a majority of the 100 million children not in school worldwide are girls, and at secondary school level in Africa, far fewer girls than boys complete their education. Happily, traditions are changing, and the numbers of girls attending school is growing by the year. Education increases a woman's (and her partner and the family's) level of health and health awareness. Africa has the highest rates of educational exclusion in the world. The program aims to give girls equal access to education, make schools safer for girls and improve the quality of girls’ education. Because I am a Girl: Africa report 2012 - Progress and obstacles to girls' education in Africa. “It defined the rest of my life.”. system that impinge on whether or not a child can attend school. “For the first time in my life, I failed. The opposite is the case in Northern Nigeria where there is low girl-child education as compared to boys. Many women in the village are now also looking on their sons and daughters equally when it comes to sending them to school, she adds. Last year when she visited Malawi ’ s minds she might change her mind, I. 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