Research conducted across the globe confirms that women are more educated today than fifty years ago in every country in the world. While it’s exciting to know this, it does not change the fact that there is still a gap, hence, more work to be done.
When we make a case for a narrowing and diminishing existence of the gender gap in education, we are not claiming that girls are better than boys or deserve more than boys. We are simply channeling the fact that all humans have equal rights which must be reflected in every facet of our existence. I know that aiming for non-existence of a gender gap sounds utopian, but at least it’s worth a try.
Our modern world thrives on education, innovation and technology. There has never been a better time than now to make the case for education. By this, we are not referring to any type of education but rather the kind that removes obstacles and promotes possibilities.
We might be familiar with the phrase that when we educate a man, we educate an individual, but when we educate a woman, we educate a nation. This age old saying is true. Let me clarify that the education of a male child is essential and we are not in any way suggesting that this be compromised. What we are echoing here is the need for a realignment of our mindset and a realization of the fact a nation will never discover its full potential until the gender gap is bridged. How do we do this? It starts at the very beginning, by changing our curriculum (from the early childhood curriculum right through the tertiary level) and removing obstacles to education. This means that:
