Education is widely recognized as a powerful tool in unlocking the massive potential of girls and breaking down every barrier that stops them from reaching their potential. Nevertheless, many women and girls, especially those from underprivileged sections of the society, face major challenges in accessing quality education. This is where non-governmental organizations (NGOs) step in and help them out. 

In this blog, we will shed some light on the transformative role of NGO Working for Education in empowering women and girls through education. As an organization that mobilizes funds donated by individuals to provide infrastructure for the education of underprivileged girls, Educate Girls USA serves as a bridge, connecting donors with those in need and driving meaningful change in communities.

Here are the different ways in which NGOs empowering girls education make a big impact on the society :

Bridging the Gap: Connecting Donors and the Needy

NGOs like Educate Girls act as a crucial bridge, connecting people who are willing to contribute and make a difference with ostracized communities lacking resources to access education. According to a report by NPS, charities towards education have seen a steady rise in the past few years; between 2014 and 2016, the growth in this donation had an increase of 8%. Even volunteers’ investment towards education was 26% of the total amount donated during those years.

By channeling funds and resources to support initiatives that empower women and girls, NGOs create opportunities for education and pave the way for economic growth and social progress. In fact, most of the people would agree that NGOs make it easier to get involved in a cause that would bring a positive change in the society.

Removing Obstacles to Girls Education

NGOs working for girl child’s education address the multiple barriers that hinder women and girls from accessing education, especially those belonging to the underprivileged sections. These barriers include poverty, cultural norms, gender discrimination, poor infrastructure, and scarcity of resources. UNESCO estimates reveal that worldwide, approximately 129 million girls are currently not attending school, with 32 million falling within the primary school age group, and 97 million within the secondary school age group.

The global enrollment rates for both primary and secondary education are gradually approaching parity between girls and boys, with a slight difference observed (90% for males and 89% for females). The most common factors such as early marriage, child labor, and social norms are contributing to this disparity. 

NGOs like Educate Girls USA intervene by creating awareness among the general public to overcome these challenges. Their initiatives result in improved enrollment rates and reduced dropout rates among girls, ensuring equal access to education.

Promoting Girls’ Education as a Catalyst for Change

NGOs Empowering Girls Education recognize that education is not just a way to acquire knowledge but a catalyst for positive change. Educated girls are more likely to marry later, have fewer children, and invest in their families’ health and well-being. Education plays a crucial role in increasing employment opportunities, income levels, overall well-being, and the alleviation of poverty on an individual level.

At a global scale, each additional year of schooling leads to a notable 9% rise in hourly earnings. Moreover, education serves as a catalyst for long-term economic progress, stimulates innovation, reinforces institutions, and cultivates social unity within societies. By supporting girls education, NGOs contribute to reducing child marriage rates, improving maternal and child health, fostering economic empowerment, and promoting gender equality. The ripple effects of educating girls extend beyond individual lives, transforming communities and societies.

Holistic Approach to Empowerment

NGOs take a holistic approach to empowerment of girls, identifying that education is intertwined with various aspects of their lives. Educate Girls, for instance, focuses on community engagement, mobilizing local stakeholders, and empowering volunteers who act as change agents, advocating for girls education, mobilizing parents, and raising awareness about the importance of girls education.

By harnessing intelligent data and modern technology, along with meaningful community involvement and collaborations with state ministries, an NGO working for a child’s education strives to establish a sustainable and comprehensive solution. By engaging communities and addressing cultural and social norms, NGOs create an enabling environment where education can thrive and girls can realize their full potential.

Monitoring and Evaluation of Impact

NGOs prioritize monitoring and evaluation of their initiatives to ensure they yield tangible results. By tracking progress, assessing the impact of interventions, and collecting data, NGOs can hone their strategies and optimize resources to achieve the greatest outcomes. Educate Girls USA, being a dedicated NGO working for girls education, employs a strong monitoring and evaluation framework that measures learning outcomes, school enrollment, and community engagement. This evidence-based approach allows NGOs to demonstrate the effectiveness of their programs, build trust with donors, and continuously improve their interventions.

NGOs like Educate Girls USA play a vital role in empowering women and girls education through. By acting as a bridge between donors and those in need, they channel resources and support into initiatives that break down barriers, promote girls education, and drive meaningful change in communities. Through their all-inclusive approaches, NGOs address universal challenges, empower local communities, and foster a culture of equality and empowerment. 

As we understand the transformative power of education, let us support and amplify the efforts of NGOs like Educate Girls USA, ensuring that every woman and girl has the opportunity to unleash their full potential and contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous world. 

Click here to donate for girl children education and extend your full support to make the lives of little girls better.

When we talk about investing in education, it is absolutely important to understand the momentous impact of education on economic growth – education of not only the boys, but also the girls. It is often said and believed that when a girl is educated, we are indirectly educating a whole family – and in turn, the whole community. Girl Child’s Education has the power to drive economic growth, alleviate poverty, improve health outcomes, nurture innovation, and create a more inclusive and fairer society. 

In this post, we will throw some light on the remarkable economic benefits of investing in girl child’s education. Organizations like Educate Girls USA are making a difference and contributing to the cause by providing infrastructure and opportunities for underprivileged girls to access quality education.

Here are a few ways in which educating girls can transform an economy – 

Better Workforce Participation and Economic Productivity:

Investing in a girl child’s education leads to increased rates of workforce participation and thus an improved collective economic productivity. According to a study by the World Bank, an additional year of primary education for girls may lead to an average increase in their individual remuneration rate by 10–20%. Furthermore, an extra year of secondary school education results in a sizeable 25% increase in their wage rate. In addition, the World Bank highlights that a substantial portion of a mother’s incomes, almost 90%, is devoted to supporting her family, thereby playing a central role in bringing households out of poverty and alleviating hunger. 

Furthermore, educating girls leads to better employment opportunities for them, enabling them to contribute to the labor market and drive the economic growth of a nation. This increased participation further supports the economy and boosts a nation’s GDP.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

One of the most noteworthy economic impacts of education of girls is that it fosters entrepreneurship and drives innovation. Educated girls master major life skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and people management, which are essential for entrepreneurship. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor highlights that countries with higher rates of female entrepreneurship have better economic growth. By encouraging girls to pursue higher education and giving them wings to catch their dreams, communities can unleash their potential as innovators and job creators, contributing to economic development.

Decline of Poverty and Economic Empowerment

Girl child’s education is a powerful tool in battling poverty and accomplishing economic empowerment. Decades of research have provided substantial evidence that the education of girls and women yields numerous positive outcomes. These include accelerated poverty reduction, improved maternal health, decreased child mortality, enhanced HIV prevention, and reduced instances of violence. Additionally, each extra year a girl invests in her education can potentially increase her future earnings by as much as 20 percent. There are also studies which indicate that just one year of primary education has the ability to raise women’s wages in their later years by 10 percent to 20 percent and the secondary education can enhance the income by as much as 25%. 

Better Health Outcomes and Well-being

The education of girls has a positive effect on the overall health outcomes in a community. Through literacy and knowledge, mothers are better prepared to care for their own health and that of their families, which would in turn lead to positive outcomes in maternal and child health. Education helps a woman take well-informed and smart decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, and nourishment. Well-educated girls also tend to utilize health services more comprehensively.

If all girls in low and middle-income nations complete their primary schooling, it would result in a 15 percent drop in child mortality in those under the age of five. The positive effect becomes even more pronounced when girls complete their upper secondary education also. This is backed by data by UNESCO, which says that this leads to a significant 49 percent drop in child mortality for children under the age of five. Education also proves to be effective in fighting other issues like child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS.

Gender Equality and Sustainable Development

The value of girl child’s education in economic development can never be negated, as investing in girl child’s education is a catalyst for achieving gender equality and achieving a major set of sustainable development goals. Education empowers girls to challenge traditional gender norms, participate in decision-making processes, and stand up for their rights. The UN Chronicle once published a document that said that out of nearly 775 million illiterate people in the world, two-thirds are comprised of women. Imagine if all these girls are able to acquire education and opportunities, how beautifully the world will achieve gender equality and show the development it has been waiting for. 

We can very confidently say that the impact of education on economic growth of a country is huge, and by investing in girl child’s education we are taking a strategic and impactful move to foster economic growth and create a more prosperous society. By supporting organizations like Educate Girls USA, you can be a part of the movement – by contributing towards providing infrastructure and opportunities for underprivileged girls, enabling them to access quality education and fulfill their potential. Educating girls not only empowers individuals but also benefits communities, economies, and nations as a whole. 

Let us recognize the power of investing in girl child’s education as a pathway to a brighter and more prosperous future for all. Click here to donate for girl child  education and be a part of the greater good!

We at Educate Girls USA, are strong believers of the fact that the world will be a better place, and our future will be brighter, if everyone living here is empowered and educated. As we reflect upon this extraordinary expedition of empowerment, let us explore the different ways in which the lives of girls have changed, going beyond barriers and illuminating paths of faith and boundless possibilities.

Over the past decade, the United States has seen noteworthy progress in promoting the rights and opportunities of girls, especially of the underprivileged ones. This positive change has been powered by investment in girls’ education, with organizations like Educate Girls USA playing a crucial role. 

Let’s explore five ways in which the lives of girls in the US have thrived during the past decade, accentuating the positive impacts of investing in their education:

1. Improved High School Graduation Rates

In the United States, there has been a significant increase in the high school graduation rates for girls over the past decade. According to a data by Statista, the percentage of girls completing high school was 88% in 2011, which increased to nearly 92% in the year 2021. This rise in graduation rates can be accredited to various factors, including efforts made by governmental and non-governmental organizations that provide support, scholarships, and resources to underprivileged girls, ensuring they have equal opportunities to complete their education. More often, girls who complete their high school are more likely to pursue higher education, and go for better paying jobs and secure their future, and that of their families.

2. Progress in STEM Fields

Over the past ten years, there has been prominent progress in the representation of girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields in the US. Data from the National Science Foundation (NSF) reveals that the U.S. STEM workforce progressively increased and diversified between 2011 and 2021. There was a higher representation of women and undersold sections of the country, including Hispanics, African Americans, and the others.

This steady increase in the number of women pursuing degrees in computer science and engineering has resulted in an increase of women earning bachelor’s degrees in computer science. This positive shift can be attributed to initiatives that promote girls’ interest and participation in STEM education through mentorship programs, extracurricular activities, and access to resources and role models.

3. Higher Rates of College Enrollment and Completion

Access to higher education has improved significantly for girls in the United States over the past decade. According to the recent statistics, the percentage of girls completing 4 or more years of college in the US has gone up from 31% in 2011 to 39% in 2021. Furthermore, the gender gap in college completion rates has also been closing over the past few years. This gap can be closed only with investment for girl child’s education, and through concerted efforts to provide scholarships, financial aid, and mentorship programs that support girls in pursuing higher education.

4. Leadership and Political Representation

The US has seen a notable increase in the presence of girls in leadership and political roles over the past decade. According to a report, 127 seats were held in Congress by women in 2019, which has gone up to be 142 in 2021. The Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), with its unique NEW Leadership (National Education for Women’s Leadership) has been training women to take up the leadership programs, and so far they have trained nearly 5000 students across 24 states – making way for more and more women to take up leadership roles.

This positive trend reflects the impact of investments in girls’ education, which have nurtured their confidence, leadership skills, and political engagement. This is one of the classic benefits of investing in girls’ education. Many organizations like Educate Girls USA have been instrumental in fostering a generation of girls who aspire to leadership roles and contribute to decision-making processes.

Closing the Gender Wage Gap

Investments in girls’ education have also played a crucial role in narrowing the gender wage gap in the US. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the earnings ratio between women and men has shown improvement over the past decade. In 2011, women earned approximately 81 cents for every dollar earned by men, and by 2020, that ratio had increased to around 83 cents. This progress highlights how education equips girls with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in the workforce, leading to increased economic opportunities and a reduction in gender-based income disparities.

Disparity in the lives of women when compared to those of men has always been there, and probably will be there for years to come. But a few examples, like the ones we have cited above, are proof that there is hope! When you donate through us, your investment in girls’ education can create a cascading effect, thereby creating a wave of change in the entire world. 

Remember, together, we can continue to empower girls and create a more inclusive and equitable future.  Still looking for reasons to invest in girls’ education? Don’t! 

Click here to donate for girl education now and make the world a better place for everyone! 

In this blog post, we aim to throw some light on the importance of Empowering Youth young minds, emphasizing on some effective measures that can be implemented to boost their confidence and inspire them to demand quality higher education. By sharing inspiring success stories, we aim to showcase the transformative power of Girls education and the potential of every individual to shape a brighter tomorrow.

The Power of Education in Empowering Today’s Youth

Education is a potent tool that has the ability to change lives and inspire entire communities. It empowers people, filling them with knowledge, skills, and confidence to overcome challenges and contribute to the growth of the society. Quality education cultivates critical thinking, boosts creativity, and furnishes young people with the necessary skills to navigate through the evolving world. We at Educate Girls USA strongly believe that by investing in the education of young girls, especially those who come from underprivileged and marginalized families, we can break the cycle of poverty, create more prospects for growth, and drive social as well as economic development.

Obstacles Faced by Underserved Youth

Underserved youth often face a plethora of challenges that obstruct their educational journey. 

• Socioeconomic issues such as poverty or limited access to resources, and poor infrastructure create the major barriers in their lives. 
• Systemic discriminations and prejudiced practices inhibit many talented young people from unleashing their full potential.
• Adverse stereotypes, lower opportunities, and a lack of role models further create a sense of ineptness and inhibit their aspirations. 

Addressing these barriers is crucial for Empowering Youth and ensuring equal educational opportunities for everyone.

Measures to Build Confidence in Kids and Ensure Quality Education

To empower underprivileged youth, it is necessary to create an environment that fosters their talents and boosts their spirits. Mentorship initiatives, counseling, and career guidance play an important role in stimulating and guiding their aspirations. By associating them with their suitable role models and providing them the guidance they need, we can help them win over their lack of confidence and inculcate a sense of faith in their abilities. A joint effort by educational institutions, NGOs that help in empowering youth in education, and the government is essential to bridge the gap and create more all-encompassing learning environments.

Engaging the community is another way of Empowering Youth the underprivileged section of people. Involving the local community in various initiatives such as awareness against gender discrimination, promotion of education, value of skill development, etc., creates a sense of ownership and encourages the feeling of collective responsibility for the success of these young people, irrespective of their gender. Volunteer programs, awareness campaigns, and partnerships with local organizations are what could drive the entire community towards creating an equitable society and Empowering Youth. In addition, student grants, financial support, and easily accessible learning resources are crucial in leveling the playing ground and ensuring that financial constrictions do not come in the path of their aspirations.

Life is full of inspirations, only if we choose to look around. Here are a few examples of real life “s-heroes” who carved their own path to success through education. 

Real-life success stories of ordinary people who empowered themselves and became extraordinary are a powerful inspiration for underprivileged youth. These stories prove that no dream is too big and no person is too small – with determination and support, anyone can break free from the chains of prejudice and achieve their full potential.

Here are three examples of girls who overcame their obstacles, to demand and achieve quality higher education:

• Dr. Mae Jemison, who made history as the first African-American woman to travel in space. She is not only a proficient NASA astronaut but also a physician and an engineer. Despite facing several societal discriminations and prejudices, Dr. Jemison pursued her passion for science and education. Dr. Jemison’s journey emphasizes on the power of determination and resilience, and how this power can be harnessed to pursue educational goals and challenging stereotypes.

• Dr. Ruchi Sanghvi, who is an Indian-American businessperson and computer scientist who is the first female engineer hired by Facebook. She was the key person in developing many characteristic features of the popular social media platform, including the “News Feed”. By acquiring prestigious science and engineering degrees from the top universities outside India, she has inspired many young women to pursue careers in technology, which was earlier believed to be a male-dominant realm. She advocates for education through her lobbying group called FED at Silicon Valley, which works towards improving the conditions of immigrants and improving education. Her story is a testimony of breaking gender barriers in achieving academic excellence and breaking the glass ceiling in the tech industry. 

• Dr. Tererai Trent, a Zimbabwean-born scholar, philanthropist, and advocate for education, grew up in a rural village in Zimbabwe and faced many challenges, such as early marriage and restricted access to education. Yet, she never gave up on her dreams of getting a good quality education. Through her spirit and resolve, she eventually earned a grant to study in the United States. She holds a Ph.D. in International Development and has devoted her life to empowering youth, particularly girls, through education. 

Empowering Youth disadvantaged youth to demand and get quality education is their fundamental right, and it is also a crucial step towards building a resilient future. By challenging the barriers they face and enhancing their confidence, we can unravel their potential and enable them to contribute their best to the community. 

Come, let’s join hands, and advocate for change, empowering youth in education to shape a world where everyone has the equal opportunity to flourish. 

Donate for girl education through Educate Girls USA, and be an agent of change.

While there are still miles to go, the progress made in the past decade certainly gives hope that a more equitable world is within reach. At Educate Girls, we aim at women Empowering through education, and when you donate through Educate Girls, you are becoming a part of the movement that is going to change the world around us! 

From politics to sports, science to entertainment, women empowering have been taking the world by storm. Here are some of the areas of growth and development, which are revolutionized by women of today!

Education

Time and again we insist on educating women, as that’s the true means of women Empowering. Access to quality education is crucial for girls, as it enables them to acquire knowledge and skills that can help them succeed in life. Over the last decade, there has been noteworthy progress in this area. According to the UNESCO, nearly 120 million girls are out of school, including about 30  million belonging to primary, and about 95 million belonging to secondary school.

However, the gender gap in education is also narrowing, with more girls enrolled in schools worldwide. Thanks to legendary women like Sal Khan, Malala Yousafzai, Carol Dweck, Esther Duflo and many other prominent figures, significant contributions to education have been made and countless others have been inspired to continue pushing for change in the field.

It is astonishing to note that in countries such as Ethiopia, Malawi, and Nepal, the number of girls enrolled in primary school has increased by a good number since 2010. In India, the government’s “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter) scheme has helped to increase the enrolment of girls in schools.

Technology

Just like the other fields, women empowering are making strides in the field of technology as well. It has become a powerful tool in the hands of girls, allowing them to access information and education, connect with the world, and pursue new opportunities. Technology has opened up new career paths for girls, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, with almost 40% of girls choose to study STEM at a higher level of education .

Thanks to projects like “Girls Who Code” the gender gap in technology is narrowing down. The number of girls participating in the Advanced Placement computer science exam in the United States increased by almost 50% between 2016 and 2020. 

Women like Fei-Fei Li, the leading researcher in artificial intelligence (AI), and Katie Bouman, who played an important role in capturing the first-ever image of a black hole, not only drive innovation in the world of technology and science, but also inspire the future generations of women empowering to excel and thrive in these fields.

Politics

There has been a growing number of girls in politics in the past few years. While earlier there were just a few big names in the world of politics or in administration, nowadays there are many prominent names. From becoming an active member of the government, to raising their voices and strongly placing their opinion about political issues. In the realm of politics, we have seen an increase in the degree of political participation of women. 

In 2021, we witnessed Kamala Harris become the first female Vice President of the United States, a milestone that many thought would take much longer to achieve. Similarly, countries like Germany, New Zealand, and Finland have been led by women in recent years. Even in India, we can see many women empowering politicians, leading the country towards greatness, and inspiring the girls to dream big.

Sports

Just like the other fields, women have been achieving remarkable feats in sports as well. From cricket, to soccer, to tennis, women empowering have been ruling the world. The US Women’s National Soccer team has won four World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals in the past decade. Not only soccer, women’s tennis has seen Serena Williams continue to dominate the sport, winning multiple Grand Slam titles. ICC World’s Women’s Cricket was also accepted and viewed as equal to men’s cricket, reiterating that it doesn’t matter whether men are playing the sport or women, it’s the way the sport is played that matters the most. 

Military

Women have been representing the military for decades, but their roles were often limited. But gladly, the situation is changing now, with more women in the military, all across the world. In recent years, however, the system has become more inclusive, and more combat positions have opened up to women, allowing them to serve in elite units. Despite several challenges at personal and professional level, women continue to make significant contributions to the military.

Media

From bringing forth and helping the authorities fight crimes against women, to interviewing the bigshots in politics and business, women are dominating the media. Sports anchoring, which was once considered as a male dominant job, is seeing many talented women now. Women’s representation in the media has a significant impact on the self-esteem, aspirations, and attitudes of not only these women, but also of all the women out there. 

The bottom-line is that women Empowering through education is the key to unlocking their potential and creating a brighter future. When you educate a woman, you educate the entire generation, and that leads to social as well as economic progress of the entire nation. When so much rides on educating women, isn’t it the best investment?  

So why think? Invest in the future, by donating to Educate Girls USA, and let the potential of numerous girls unleash! Take a moment to think that a brighter future, better world and a fairer society is just a click of the mouse away!

However, the challenges for girls’ education are complex and multifaceted. Over the last 2 decades, progress and upliftments were made in the matter but still there lies a long way to go. Apart from unfavorable school environments, there are discriminatory social and cultural factors, early marriage, patriarchal beliefs, gender-based violence, and a lot more that add to the list of underlying problems in girls’ education.

To protect future generations from the barriers of today, we need to understand the factors involved in restricting girls’ education in an in-depth manner. 

1. Less Donation for Girls’ Education

A report shows that due to poverty, the cost involved in educating girls is one of the deciding factors of whether a girl can access education or not. Moreover, it is abundantly clear that the people living in rural areas are more consistent predictors of who stays in school or who drops out based on gender division. It is their economical condition that urges them to do so. Due to this, free-of-cost schools were started in many parts of the world to help educate the willing females. But this never seemed to be the one-stop solution as there were families in different areas of the globe who could not keep up with the costs of transportation, textbooks, or uniforms. 

In low economic situations, parents are forced to send their young girls to work as laborers or slaves and they depend on their income for the household. All such conditions pressurize them to send their son to school. This highlights that there is totally a lack of donations for girls’ education. If more and more people could come up and donate a little proportion of their earnings towards the learning of young underserved girls then the world can grow and succeed together, leaving no one behind!

2. Patriarchal Beliefs

There exist cultures in which girls’ education is prohibited for many pre-believed reasons. While boys are allowed to attend school, girls’ opportunities are restricted and reduced considerably to the role of giving birth, raising kids, and undertaking household work. People in many parts of Africa, Kenya, India, etc. are stuck within these cultural beliefs due to their existing patriarchal traditions. It is not common for families to invest in their daughters before their sons. These kinds of beliefs pull society backward and limit the growth of a nation. 

There must be enough advocacy among the people of underserved areas that they can help each other in limiting the dominant practices and allow for some degree of change in girls’ education. This attitude of elders preferring their sons over innocent daughters flourishes way beyond education and creates a fuss that is much more difficult to clear later. There lies a need of advocating for people and pushing them toward a wave of change.

3. Menstruation

Every month a lot of young girls step on a new stage of adolescence – Menstruation. What people believe in the underserved areas is that she will most likely skip school or work for a significant portion of her life just because she is on her period. And even if this is not the case, then families prefer to marry their daughters as soon as they begin to menstruate. This is because they feel that they have reached the age where they are capable enough to have kids and build up a family. 

Poor financial conditions force people to think this way. Menstruation is stigmatized around the world and the cultural shame attached to this natural process embarrasses young girls and limits them from participating actively in society. In Nepal, menstruating girls are seen as impure and banished to the huts by society, this even leads to the death of many females. 

Apart from this, the major problem is that many-a-times they cannot afford to purchase sanitary products or they don’t have access to hygienic toilets and proper sanitation at schools. All these things push them a little harder to quit their education and follow the “destined” ending.

4. Gender-Based Violence

All over the globe girls are at a higher risk of violence and sexual abuse in society. Gender-Based violence can take up many forms like physical and sexual abuse, harassment, and bullying. Surviving rape, discrimination, or any other type of abuse can affect girls’ enrollment, reduce their participation and achievements, and can even trigger dropout rates. Long distances to school are often problematic as they have to take up public transport which is not safe in many parts of the world. 

Traveling such long distances every day can be dangerous as reports suggest that many young girls become victims of rape or harassment on their way back home. In countries affected by conflicts, girls feel danger and terror and resist going to school alone. Tanzania reported that almost 1 in 4 girls who experienced sexual violence, met such an accident while traveling to or from school. Such incidents generate a feeling of terror and parents are most likely to withdraw their daughters’ enrollment in case of long distance. So, gender-based violence must be eliminated from the society as it can support ladies to step forward, study, and take a stand for themselves. 

5. Trafficking

Human trafficking is a depressing, terrifying yet the most common thing and the number of girls reported as a victim of this is on the rise. In 2016, out of all the trafficking victims reported, 83% were young girls and the rest were males, adults, etc. Many-a-times traffickers exploit girls for forced labor or child marriage, but most commonly they are pushed into sexual exploitation. Trafficked women and girls have to face high degrees of physical and sexual violence along with unwanted physical and mental health issues. Such a form of abuse puts them on a path to getting stuck in an endless loop of poverty and slavery that stops them from educating and growing into developed individuals. 

People residing in areas affected by conflicts like Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, are considered to be more vulnerable to human trafficking, especially when they separate from their families and either live or travel alone. As a result of the rise of the militant Sunni Islamic group, trafficking has skyrocketed up to 10,000 women and girls in Iraq. The areas prone to conflicts face such issues and then are left behind in the race of developing and leading the world. There is an emergent need of resolving this issue if we wish to resolve the challenges in girls’ education.  

Girls’ education is arguably the best investment for a global economy. All the above-stated factors are the primary reasons girls are constrained and given limited access to certain opportunities. But the world should overcome this and help people understand how society is functioning and how it should actually function. When we focus on and study the barriers to girls’ education, then no wrong picture occurs in our minds while picturing primary schools. The main problem starts at the senior secondary schools. So, supporting families to send their daughters to school only till the primary level is not enough, neither for their future nor for society. 

We need responsible and active leaders who can step boldly and pull the crowd toward helping in resolving the existing challenges. We need to pay more attention to what happens before and after primary school. Girls and women entering the 21st century need skills and knowledge to continue in the fast-growing world. Educate Girls is a non-profit working solely for resolving the challenges in girls’ education, pulling them over their limits and helping them learn. The strongest support you as an individual can provide in this difficult battle is by donating a little amount for all the innocent and underserved girls who deserve equal treatment. 

Step up, donate now, and be a catalyst for the change!

Thankfully there have been people community members and NGOs supporting girl’s education, and helping to create a world that is fairer and happier. One such NGO that advocates literacy for girls in rural areas across the world is Educate Girls USA – and we, as a team, can truly bring about the revolution that the new world demands.

But is everything really changing? 

Here are some snippets of the inequality between men and women in the field of education – 

• Primary School Enrolment: According to UNESCO 2021 data, nearly 90% of boys and girls get enrolled in primary school. But, the gender gap very prominent in some regions, such as the sub-Saharan Africa and South and West Asia, the ratio of girls to boys getting enrolled in primary schools is as low as 75:100. 

• Secondary School Enrolment: As per the data given by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, in 2020, the average enrolment rate of female children in secondary education across the globe was 40%, as against 45% for boys. This gap is predominantly noticeable in underdeveloped and developing countries.

• Literacy rates: UNESCO’s 2021 statistics state that 91% of men and 83% of women globally are “educated”. But the data, when looked at some regions, is pretty disturbing – sub-Saharan Africa reports a 74% literacy rate for men as against 60% of women, and South and West Asia reports 81% men and only 60% women as literate or educated.

Education – the greatest tool in the hands of humanity to curb inequality between men and women

It is undeniable that investing in the education of girls is essential for bringing about gender equality and narrowing the gap between the social and economic status of men and women. Education is a dominant force for a progressive change, endowing women, bettering health and lifestyle, better financial independence and creating a lasting impact. 

Here are the five main reasons why education is the biggest, most potent weapon to end the inequality between men and women across the globe –

• To begin with, education empowers women by providing them with information, awareness, specific skills and the self-reliance to challenge the orthodox gender norms and make smart decisions.

• Education is closely linked with better health and lifestyle for women, their families and the community as a whole. Educated women are more likely to pursue prenatal counselling, have lower rates of infant mortality and post-partum issues, and have healthier babies. 

• Education offers financial well-being by offering better job opportunities for women, thus augmenting their earning potential. Educated women can enter into higher earning jobs, and become financially independent, thus supporting themselves, their families, and their community.

• Education gives more awareness to women about their rights and responsibilities, thus helping in reducing gender-based violence. Educated women identify and encounter abusive behaviour, and transform the attitude of the community towards violence. 

• Education has a cascading effect on the future generations – educated women educate their children, thus creating a ripple effect in their community that breaks the cycle of poverty and discrimination.. That is the reason why there is so much emphasis on supporting girls’ education in developing countries.

Leading activists supporting girls’ education

Social activists and NGOs are striving hard to help girls who are falling victims to the hands of the evil called gender discrimination. That’s the reason why we implore, that you step forward and join hands with Educate Girls USA, to help educate girls across the globe. There are many noteworthy female education activists that have decided to change the status of girls, and support girls’ education through their ideas and actions. 

One such woman is Malala Yousafzai, an activist from Pakistan who has gained global attention by becoming the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2014, for her incredible work promoting education for all.

Another amazing woman who strongly advocates girls’ education is Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the USA and American lawyer, author, and influencer. She had launched many initiatives and schemes, such as “Let Girls Learn initiative”, aiming at supporting girls’ education in developing countries and addressing the barriers that lead to discrimination and inequality.

Syrian activist and influencer Muzoon Almellehan, also known as the “Malala of Syria”, is yet another figure, popular for her work in refugee community camps. Muzoon is the youngest Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, and is very vocal about the difficulties faced by refugees in getting basic education. 

What can be done for supporting girls’ education in developing countries – 

Bring a change at the global level is something that is a joint responsibility – the government, NGOs, community and individuals have to come together to get it done. Here are some of the ways that can lead to a major wave of change, globally!

• Offering scholarships and financial aid to girls is one of the best ways to support girls’ education, as many girls, especially in developing community and countries drop out of schools due to financial constraints.
• Providing proper infrastructure and facilities at schools, like clean drinking water, sanitation, and basic classrooms, can make it easier for girls to get the education they need, that too in a safer environment.

• There should be enough emphasis on the fact that training teachers is the best way to improve the quality of education. Providing proper training and know-how to the teachers can make them more equipped to empower these little girls with the power of education.

• Creating awareness among the community & general public about the orthodox cultural and social norms which stops them from attending school can help to create a supportive environment for the education of girls. 

• Educating parents and community members of young girls about the benefits of education and creating the needed awareness is necessary too. After all, they are the decision makers of the family, and they decide about the future of their daughters.

Let’s first understand that all this is not something that can happen overnight. Proper and effective support for girls’ education requires an all-inclusive approach that challenges multiple barriers. 

We, Educate Girls USA, are a modest organization supporting girls’ education, and this is our humble effort to kindle a spark in your hearts to donate generously – even if your donation changes the life of one girl, would it not be worth it!

Everywhere, people try to change the existing educational pattern in order to increase enrollment for girls all over the world. But the problem is still there and it requires a more powerful solution that can only be driven with the support of all the individuals in the underserved areas. A few solution-oriented steps for this problem can help increase educational opportunities for girls. 

Let us understand the new techniques in girls’ education that can be implemented in 2023.     

1. Accessibility

It is necessary to ensure that good-quality educational institutions are accessible by females all over the world easily. Distance is a big problem for many young girls due to which they have to step back. In the underserved areas, parents find it problematic to send their girls to schools and long distance just adds up to the list of reasons justifying their decision. Even if an area has an educational institution then the security measures, infrastructure, and maintenance are not up to the mark.

Many times buildings lack proper classrooms, furniture, and other resources required to run a school. As a result, parents feel uncomfortable sending their young girls to school. So, a good quality educational institution is necessary for helping girls educate at a primary or secondary level. Easily accessible schools can improve girls’ education and in turn uplift the whole society. Now the question is how can we make girl child education more accessible?

Here are some steps – 

1. Schools should have proper security measures, including guards, boundary walls, and barbed wires. 
2. Every school should be well-equipped with furniture and other resources required for proper functioning. 
3. There must separate and hygienic washrooms for boys and girls.. 

2. Awareness

Along with accessibility, there is lack of proper awareness regarding the importance and need of girl child education as many families all over the world do not realize it. It is believed that daughters will be better put to use helping around the house. While others believe that it will be too expensive to send their daughters to school when they could use that time working for nominal wages. A patriarchal belief that is still dominant in society is that education will not help the girl in her marriage, so it is pointless and instead a daughter should be married off as soon as she starts menstruating. 

The reality speaks in opposition to all these pre-existing beliefs. Families must be advocated enough to understand the benefits of educating their girls. She will grow up as a sensible human being who is mature enough to look after her health, financial status, along with the whole family. It will help her in developing personally by teaching her all the necessary communication skills. An educated girl is expected to build a healthy family as well. There are a lot of benefits associated with girls’ education. It is just new thinking in girls’ education that is required and for that various counselling sessions for the parents should be arranged by the leaders. 

3. Complementary Policies to Improve Qualities for Girls

It is high time that the crowd should understand the urgency of educating girls and helping the world grow together as one. Responsible and educated people are trying their level best to improve girls’ education but it is not possible to eliminate the existing beliefs and mindset completely without the support of the leaders in power. 

The government should implement certain policies that will compel parents to send their children to school. A certain level of primary education should be made compulsory for all kids in order to help improve the status of girls’ education in underserved areas with lots of pre-dominant patriarchy. Alternatives should be planned for families who are dependent on their young girls for finances. They must be provided an opportunity to grow and develop some skills along with earning so that they can divide their day and make full use of the available options.

4. Control Population Growth

The increasing population on earth is becoming a problem day by day. The main reason for the exploitation of the planet and all the resources available is the increasing population. But educated girls have knowledge about sustainable development and they know the appropriate proportion gap between two pregnancies. It is necessary for the population to be healthy as well, so due to a gap in education, there lie ladies who are suffering medically due to early pregnancies. 

Families should let their daughters learn and apply the new techniques for improving girls education in this new year 2023.

All the above-indicated factors prove that there is a dire need to improve the education system in the backward areas as girl-child education, women empowerment, and the development of a nation are closely related. So, the strategy for promoting girls’ education must be a smooth blend of all of these and should have a problem-solving approach. Families need to understand the need of educating their young girls and let them go behind their dreams of becoming independent and successful women.

Besides the government, many social and non-profit organizations are also working closely to eradicate the problem of restrictions on supporting girls’ education. Educate Girls is one such NGO that works dedicatedly towards eliminating the problem of girls’ education in rural areas. All such things require people to stand together and fight for what is right. Even a small contribution from you can make a big difference in the life of an innocent girl. Please donate for their education because each step counts!

Let’s start with the most recent data by IBEF (India Brand Equity Foundation) in the year 2021, which states that nearly 900 million people form the rural population of India, with a literacy rate of 74%. While the literacy rate of men is close to 82%, the same in women is only 65%. Another interesting finding by the same agency was that around 25-30% of GDP is contributed by the rural economy – which makes it all the more necessary to give more emphasis on the importance of education for girls in India.

Better education would mean better job opportunities for girls, which in turn will contribute to the economic growth of the country as a whole. Since there is so much riding on education of young and promising girls in our rural areas, Educate India strives constantly to educate, empower and encourage them. Through a small contribution, you can also be a part of the revolution these little girls can bring in the country!

But can providing basic education to a girl be enough? Now that’s a question that needs our attention, as well as contribution.

If girls’ basic education is not enough, what is that other thing which is needed? The answer is “skill development”!  

The next most valuable question would be, whether developing specific skills in girls is sufficient, if we are talking about big contributions to society and the country’s economy? 

While Educate Girls NGO is always advocating educating the girls, we also emphasize on the fact that education and skills go hand in hand, when it comes to creating job opportunities for girls.  Both basic education and skill development are important for girls, and both should be a priority for any country that wants to invest in the future of its female population. 

Here is why girls’ basic education and girl’s skill development must be done simultaneously – 

• While basic education provides girls with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills that they can build on throughout their lives, skill development provides them with the tool with which they can carve their own path of success. 

• Basic education provides them the literacy and numeracy skills, along with the basic knowledge of social and economic concepts that can help them better understand the world around them, but skill development will enable them to overcome the barriers to employment contributing to the creation of a “better world” around them.

• Basic education can help girls develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in any field. By acquiring the necessary skills required in a particular sector, they can assume the roles of higher positions, leadership roles and even create a great fortune in self-employment. 

Hence, combination is the key! 

Rather than having an “either/or” proposition for skill development and basic education, the two can be combined to create a more holistic approach to education that addresses the needs of girls at all levels. By incorporating skill development training into basic education programs, or vice versa, girls can gain both a strong foundation of language and arithmetic, as well as specific skills that are relevant to their chosen careers. This will help girls become more seasoned and versatile, and it can also help them pursue careers that are both fulfilling and financially rewarding.

Why Is It Important To Focus On a Girl’s Skill Development in Tandem with Education?

By promoting girl child education in rural areas, and offering them various educational opportunities, countries can help them develop the knowledge and skills they need to become the superheroes of change inside their homes and beyond. Not only the traditional school based education, but also real-world skills like leadership, teamwork, and communication need to be imparted to these girls. 

There are various reasons why education of girls in rural areas needs to be coupled with skill development.

Healthier self, healthier community!

Girl children’s education is vital for improving the health and well-being of families and communities as a whole. Educated, and stably employed girls make informed decisions about their health, hygiene, and nutrition, leading to better health of themselves and the people around them. Also, educated working girls do not prefer early marriages and pregnancies, which is also crucial for their own health, as well as that of their babies.

Breaking the cycle of poverty.

Girl child education in rural areas, coupled with hands-on skills, is an essential factor to break the cycle of poverty. It will enable them to find job opportunities, and earn better, which can help them lift their families out of poverty. Such women are also better at making investments, educating their children, and thus uplift the entire community.

Gender equity, not just equality!

The basic requirement for women’s empowerment is women’s education. And when education is supplemented with practical skills, it empowers women to have better access to data, resources, and opportunities that can again help them achieve their goals and aspirations. Such passionate and successful women are beyond the basic gender norms and stereotypes, leading to increased gender equality in society. 

The larger picture!

Girl’s skill development, amalgamated with girl child education in rural India is vital to the development of the overall economy of the country. Well-equipped women can become successful entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders, driving economic growth and development. 

By empowering girls with education and skills, countries can unleash their full potential and ensure that they have equal opportunities to succeed and contribute to society. 

The takeaway – 

Both, basic education and skill development are an absolute must for girls, and both should be given due consideration and resources. By equipping young girls with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills, as well as specific skills that are pertinent to their chosen occupations, countries can help them become more well-rounded and versatile, and they can also help them pursue careers that are both fulfilling and financially rewarding.

The primary reason for you to Donate for Girl Child Education is that you will be investing in the education of girls, which can promote gender equality and social inclusion in our country, which can help to reduce poverty, improve health conditions, and promote sustainable development. By empowering girls with education and skills, countries can unlock their full potential and transform the world around! 

Girls’ Education is one of the important phases in a person’s life. It provides everyone with an opportunity to grow socially as well as academically. Educating every individual is not only important for the economic development of a country but also leaves an impact on the economic empowerment of an individual. Children living in poverty face many barriers to Girls’ education but the stakes are high for girls and that shows the prejudice in Girls’ education. Globally, there are more than 129 million girls who are out of school. Investing in their education and providing them opportunities to come forward and seek what they deserve has the potential to uplift their families in society. 

Receiving quality education benefits females in all spheres of their lives. Some factors restrict girls in many areas of the world from receiving a quality Girls’ education or sometimes even going to school. It has been years since they are not getting an equal platform to learn and express their rights. All the complex and intersectional factors not only create barriers to education but make the girls of underserved areas invisible. 

Fighting Reasons for Being Out Of School

The most dominant reason for financial cost as the biggest barrier to Girls’ education is something that should not be considered a reason now. There must be actions against it to resolve this forever-growing problem and efforts are required from all individuals. Eliminating money as a barrier is not just an overnight process in a child’s learning. It takes trust and understanding to acknowledge and improve the situations of underserved children. Organizations like Educate Girls are constantly working towards children’s learning, especially girls. 

As per a report published by the World Bank, it has been verified that poverty or less economic stability is the major reason for restricting girls from attending schools. Sometimes, parents manage to afford the school fees but it gets difficult for them to keep up with the added expenses like uniforms, notebooks, stationery, etc. Low earnings force girls to stay back and take care of the other siblings so that both parents could earn their living. So, poverty leads to household chores instead of quality Girls’ education. 

Families select other things over their girl and her necessities and no one should bear this. In turn, they should indulge in between and fight for what they deserve. Sanitary napkins and supportive inner wears are the supreme demand of every adolescent girl. But parents living in poor areas are often not able to afford these and choose to marry their daughters as soon as they began to menstruate. Standing together by uniting with the activists and organizations working for the cause of advocating the importance of girls’ education can change things, encourage learning and help provide girls the opportunities they deserve. 

Education Acts As A Vaccine to Violence

Gender-based violence has many forms including bullying, harassment, abuse, etc. Surviving rape, inequality, and emotional torture lowers the enrollment of children in schools and reduces their active participation in society. These reasons stand strong behind the increasing dropout rates every year. Many children are not able to complete basic primary Girls’ education because the environment might not be feasible for them to adjust to. 

This needs to stop by advocating a fair, equal, and respectful environment for all the kids irrespective of anything. It is estimated that 246 million girls and boys are harassed and abused on their way to school every year. Many countries reported bullying cases inside the school as well.

Everybody has to understand that a person of the opposite gender with some special features, respect, level of opportunities, and the right to learn should be equal and fair for everybody. The practice of differentiating on any ground should be restricted; the sole aim should be to motivate a child to study. Teachers and mentors should plan interactive sessions in between school times so that they can have a chat and help the kids understand the normality of different lives easily. 

Menstruation 

The adolescent period of a girl’s body means that menstruation might act as a barrier to their Girls’ education. In many marginalised communities all over the world, sanitary products are not economically affordable and are even not provided by schools. By simply not having the resources to manage their periods, they are left with no other choice than to skip school. This problem often provokes permanent dropouts in underserved areas. 

In addition to this, many girls in rural areas are advised to use cloth instead of a sanitary pad. This should be strictly restricted as it can cause infection. This can have a detrimental effect on their health and it ultimately results in them staying back at home after their menstruation begins. Periods are something normal that should not be a restriction in gaining a quality Girls’ education for an empowered life later. But all the hygienic essentials like sanitary napkins, and clean washrooms at schools must be ensured to maintain and somewhere allow for better children’s learning. 

How to Eliminate These Barriers and Break Free From Prejudices?

Policy Level Changes

New policies should be introduced and the existing ones should be refined to focus on sending more girls to school and ensuring not only their enrollment but regular attendance as well. There must be reinforcements for families of underserved areas on sending their daughters to school and supporting their higher education. Furthermore, policies should be designed on restricting practices of child marriage, gender-based violence, etc. to eliminate these barriers to encouraging their Girls’ education. 

Creating Awareness

Communication, campaigns, and advocacy at all levels of society should be practiced as it is very important to change the editing of gender and social norms in backward communities. This is a very slow process that requires intervention from all educated individuals. Creating awareness at the grass-root level is important because it is to educate the state, community, and religious leaders. 

Encouraging More Women Teachers

Evidence of the number of girls’ enrollment in backward communities demands more female teachers as girls suffer from a problem but every solution before them is to drop out of school and stay back. If there would be more female teachers then the environment might push the girls to talk to their teachers and discuss the problem. Together they can come to a common solution by applying the problem-solving approach.  Curriculums should also be reflecting gender equality within educational resources such as textbooks, presenting girls and boys equally. 

As always, we must focus on dismantling the patriarchal beliefs which oppress women and girls and prevent them from reaching their highest potential. Girls and boys should be valued equally and encouragement in Girls’ education should be provided, regardless of gender. We must create awareness surrounding the benefits of educating girls as well as informing communities and parents about the harm of child marriage and gender-based violence in the long run.

These conversations are crucial to have within a community so a larger support is required to penetrate through the patriarchal mindset and help spread the word of educating girls within. Stand strong with Educate Girls –  a non-profit working closely with and helping thousands of girls in getting a quality Girls’ education to build an empowered life. A small effort would count and will make a difference.

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