Equality in education leads to a more just and equitable society. We have already achieved great highs in bringing more girls to school all around the world. However, the fight for girls’ education is not over yet. Unleashing the power of girlhood is quite a journey. See what we can do as a society to empower more girls to pursue and succeed in education.
Access to Education
Step one is easy access to education for all. Granting every girl unrestrained access to education is the cornerstone of empowerment. Unfortunately, in different regions of the world, various geographical, financial, or cultural barriers often restrict access. The traditional solutions lie in establishing schools closer to communities offering safe passages or transportation. It also comes with implementing scholarship programs or subsidized education.
A more modern approach offers online education. Of course, easy and fast Internet access and computers become a necessity in such a solution. Overall, simplifying access to education becomes the motivation for developing a truly inclusive society where every child is treated equally.
Safe Learning Environment
A school must be a safe space for all the girls and boys who want to learn. It should represent a nourishing, encouraging, and supportive environment where children aren’t afraid to show initiative, express themselves, and participate in discussions and activities. Hence, schools should work hard to prevent discrimination, bullying, and harassment.
Schools must create an atmosphere where girls feel included, safe, and welcomed. It will foster a positive learning environment where all children learn to respect and care for one another.
Qualified Teachers
Qualified and competent teachers are the irreplaceable core of a thriving educational environment. These specialists are often the first adults who help young children shape their perspectives about the world and their place in it. Ensuring that teachers are well-trained, emphasizing gender-sensitive methods and classroom management, contributes to the creation of an inclusive atmosphere.
Of course, it also means representation. Young girls should see women just like them teaching classes. These empowered teachers will pave the way for empowered girls, encouraging them to pursue academic interests without fear of bias or discrimination.
Community Involvement
Communities play a crucial role in supporting girls’ education. Unfortunately, the obstacles to a fair society for all often begin at the grassroots level. In fact, communities often represent how much ‘unleashing’ of girl power still needs to be done, depending on the general stand on girls’ education. Some cultures or societies have deeply ingrained gender norms, which often contradict a just and equal access to education.
Community engagement, through workshops, awareness campaigns, and open dialogues, becomes instrumental in breaking stereotypes and emphasizing the widespread benefits of girls’ education for the entire community.
Financial Support
Financial barriers can cast a long shadow over educational aspirations. Hence, it’s important to acknowledge the role of financial barriers in equal educational opportunities. Comprehensive financial support should be in place to overcome such challenges. From scholarships to stipends, girls should be eligible to receive financial help in education. Such help can directly aid girls’ learning process. However, most importantly, by providing financial aid, schools send a powerful message to communities about the societal value of women’s education. Hence, such support can help change the social mindset about the role of education in girls’ lives.
Inclusive Extracurricular Activities
Beyond formal lessons, girls should actively participate in clubs, sports, arts, and leadership roles. Extracurricular activities create numerous opportunities for students to explore their interests, strengths, and weaknesses. They learn to apply for various roles, cooperate with others, explore the possibilities around them, and much more.
Such activities are designed to foster kids’ creativity, logic, communication skills, and other necessary practical skills and talents. It’s essential that young girls feel comfortable and confident in exploring these activities within the educational environment.
Mentorship Programs
A mentor serves as a knowledgeable friend who can guide you through the complexities of school and life. Girls who struggle to receive equal access to education can greatly benefit from having such a friend on their side. Schools can establish programs where girls can connect with mentors and individuals who are offering guidance, career insights, and shared experiences.
It’s similar to having a supportive companion on their educational journey, fostering confidence, providing inspiration, and ensuring they know there’s someone reliable in their corner. Of course, girls can also seek similar help online in education blogs and platforms. From getting help with paper on https://speedypaper.com to discussing school subjects on Quora and similar sites, girls should have access to mentors in their educational journey.
Life Skills Education
Beyond textbooks, girls should work on acquiring practical life skills, such as problem-solving, effective communication, and critical thinking. These academic skills are also the key to confidently facing real-life challenges. Integrating these skills into the curriculum provides a toolkit that empowers girls to navigate various situations with assurance.
It’s about fostering resilience and arming them with abilities beyond the classroom. This emphasis on life skills ensures that as they progress through education, girls are not just accumulating knowledge but are equipped to thrive in the complexities of the world awaiting them.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.