essay on education of woman

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Women's Education Essay

Essay on women's education -.

Education for women has been a global concern for many decades, with organisations and governments working towards providing equal opportunities and education for all genders. According to UNESCO, there are still significant disparities in education attainment between men and women, particularly in low-income countries.

100 Words Essay On Women's Education

Women's education is critical to empowering women and promoting gender equality. Education helps women break the cycle of poverty and provides them with opportunities for personal and professional growth. It also leads to better health outcomes and reduced population growth rates.

Women who are highly educated are more likely to be active participants in the political and social process and are better equipped to advocate for their rights and those of their families. Educated women are also more likely to prioritise their children's education, perpetuating a positive cycle of education and empowerment. The government has implemented several programs and policies to promote girls’ education, including the Right to Education Act, which ensures that all children between the ages of 6 and 14 have access to free and compulsory education.

200 Words Essay On Women's Education

Education is one of the most fundamental human rights essential for individuals and society's overall development and progress. Women's education is significant in this regard, as it has already been proven to be one of the most effective ways to empower our women and promote gender equality.

Why Women Education Is Necessary

Studies show that educating women leads to improved health, well-being for themselves and their families, and greater economic growth and stability. Women who are educated are more likely to participate in the workforce and have higher-paying jobs, which contributes to the overall prosperity of communities. In addition, educated women are more likely to make informed decisions for themselves and their families, leading to better health outcomes.

Challenges Faced

However, despite the numerous benefits, many girls and women worldwide still face significant educational barriers. Poverty, cultural norms, and lack of access to resources are just some challenges preventing girls from attending school. Governments, civil society organizations, and international bodies must work together to provide equal educational opportunities for all, regardless of gender.

In India, education for women has improved over the years. However, there are still challenges, such as socio-cultural barriers, poverty, and lack of access to education facilities that hinder the education of many girls. However, despite the numerous benefits of women's education, there are still many barriers to its attainment, including poverty, cultural norms, and limited access to educational resources. Despite the efforts, the literacy rate among women in India remains lower than that of men, and there is still much progress.

In conclusion, educating women is a basic human right and crucial for promoting gender equality, reducing poverty, and advancing economic development. We must work towards creating a world where every girl and woman has access to quality education and is empowered to reach their full potential.

500 Words Essay On Women's Education

Women's education is crucial to a society's development and growth. It is widely recognised that educating women can have many positive impacts not just on the women themselves but also on their families, communities, and even entire countries.

The Importance Of Women's Education

The importance of women's education cannot be overstated.

Education empowers women to make informed decisions, increases their employment opportunities, and improves their economic status.

Education also leads to better health outcomes for women and their families.

Women educated are more likely to seek medical care, use contraception, and vaccinate their children, resulting in improved health outcomes for both mothers and children.

Additionally, educated women are more likely to participate in the political process and advocate for their rights, leading to a more equitable and just society.

Challenges To Women Education

Despite the many benefits of women's education, numerous challenges still prevent women from accessing education. These challenges vary from country to country, but some of the most common obstacles include poverty, cultural attitudes, lack of infrastructure, and conflict. In many developing countries, families cannot afford to send their daughters to school, and girls are often forced to work instead of attending school. In addition, cultural attitudes that view women as inferior to men and discourage their education also significantly limit women's access to education.

Another major challenge is the need for more infrastructure in many rural and underdeveloped areas. Schools in these areas are often of poor quality and need more basic facilities like clean water, toilets, and electricity. This makes it difficult for girls to attend school, especially during their menstrual periods.

Initiatives

Several strategies can be implemented to overcome these challenges and ensure that women have access to education.

Firstly, governments and organisations can provide financial assistance to families so that they can afford to send their daughters to school. This can be done through scholarships, school fee subsidies, and other forms of financial support.

Secondly, efforts must be made to change cultural attitudes and challenge gender-based discrimination. This can be done through education campaigns, media, and community engagement.

Real-Life Examples On Women’s Education

These are some examples of organisations working towards promoting women's education in India.

Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust | This was founded by Mahatma Gandhi. This organisation provides education and training programs for women in rural areas of India.

SABLA | The Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls provides education and nutrition support to young girls in India.

Pratham Education Foundation | This non-profit organisation works to improve the educational quality for underprivileged children, with a special focus on girls.

Akshaya Patra Foundation | This organisation provides mid-day meals to school-going children, including girls, to improve their attendance and retention.

Room to Read | This global organisation focuses on girls' education in India and other developing countries, providing support for literacy and gender equality programs.

Women's education is crucial for promoting gender equality and ensuring the overall development of society. Despite significant progress made in the past few decades, there still exists a significant gender gap in education worldwide, particularly in developing countries. It is important to address the cultural, social, and economic barriers that prevent women from accessing education.

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Entertainment
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Information Technology

Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary.

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

GIS officer work on various GIS software to conduct a study and gather spatial and non-spatial information. GIS experts update the GIS data and maintain it. The databases include aerial or satellite imagery, latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, and manually digitized images of maps. In a career as GIS expert, one is responsible for creating online and mobile maps.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Database Architect

If you are intrigued by the programming world and are interested in developing communications networks then a career as database architect may be a good option for you. Data architect roles and responsibilities include building design models for data communication networks. Wide Area Networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), and intranets are included in the database networks. It is expected that database architects will have in-depth knowledge of a company's business to develop a network to fulfil the requirements of the organisation. Stay tuned as we look at the larger picture and give you more information on what is db architecture, why you should pursue database architecture, what to expect from such a degree and what your job opportunities will be after graduation. Here, we will be discussing how to become a data architect. Students can visit NIT Trichy , IIT Kharagpur , JMI New Delhi .

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive.

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Product manager.

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.

Operations Manager

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Stock Analyst

Individuals who opt for a career as a stock analyst examine the company's investments makes decisions and keep track of financial securities. The nature of such investments will differ from one business to the next. Individuals in the stock analyst career use data mining to forecast a company's profits and revenues, advise clients on whether to buy or sell, participate in seminars, and discussing financial matters with executives and evaluate annual reports.

A Researcher is a professional who is responsible for collecting data and information by reviewing the literature and conducting experiments and surveys. He or she uses various methodological processes to provide accurate data and information that is utilised by academicians and other industry professionals. Here, we will discuss what is a researcher, the researcher's salary, types of researchers.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues.

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems.

Safety Manager

A Safety Manager is a professional responsible for employee’s safety at work. He or she plans, implements and oversees the company’s employee safety. A Safety Manager ensures compliance and adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines.

Conservation Architect

A Conservation Architect is a professional responsible for conserving and restoring buildings or monuments having a historic value. He or she applies techniques to document and stabilise the object’s state without any further damage. A Conservation Architect restores the monuments and heritage buildings to bring them back to their original state.

Structural Engineer

A Structural Engineer designs buildings, bridges, and other related structures. He or she analyzes the structures and makes sure the structures are strong enough to be used by the people. A career as a Structural Engineer requires working in the construction process. It comes under the civil engineering discipline. A Structure Engineer creates structural models with the help of computer-aided design software.

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description: A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Field Surveyor

Are you searching for a Field Surveyor Job Description? A Field Surveyor is a professional responsible for conducting field surveys for various places or geographical conditions. He or she collects the required data and information as per the instructions given by senior officials.

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Pathologist

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Veterinary Doctor

Speech therapist, gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth.

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Are you searching for an ‘Anatomist job description’? An Anatomist is a research professional who applies the laws of biological science to determine the ability of bodies of various living organisms including animals and humans to regenerate the damaged or destroyed organs. If you want to know what does an anatomist do, then read the entire article, where we will answer all your questions.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs.

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Photographer

Photography is considered both a science and an art, an artistic means of expression in which the camera replaces the pen. In a career as a photographer, an individual is hired to capture the moments of public and private events, such as press conferences or weddings, or may also work inside a studio, where people go to get their picture clicked. Photography is divided into many streams each generating numerous career opportunities in photography. With the boom in advertising, media, and the fashion industry, photography has emerged as a lucrative and thrilling career option for many Indian youths.

An individual who is pursuing a career as a producer is responsible for managing the business aspects of production. They are involved in each aspect of production from its inception to deception. Famous movie producers review the script, recommend changes and visualise the story.

They are responsible for overseeing the finance involved in the project and distributing the film for broadcasting on various platforms. A career as a producer is quite fulfilling as well as exhaustive in terms of playing different roles in order for a production to be successful. Famous movie producers are responsible for hiring creative and technical personnel on contract basis.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook.

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion.

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article.

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Individuals who opt for a career as a reporter may often be at work on national holidays and festivities. He or she pitches various story ideas and covers news stories in risky situations. Students can pursue a BMC (Bachelor of Mass Communication) , B.M.M. (Bachelor of Mass Media) , or MAJMC (MA in Journalism and Mass Communication) to become a reporter. While we sit at home reporters travel to locations to collect information that carries a news value.

Corporate Executive

Are you searching for a Corporate Executive job description? A Corporate Executive role comes with administrative duties. He or she provides support to the leadership of the organisation. A Corporate Executive fulfils the business purpose and ensures its financial stability. In this article, we are going to discuss how to become corporate executive.

Multimedia Specialist

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications.

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product.

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

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Why educating women is more important than we realize

The Times of India

The Stri or the Female Energy is the creatrix, mother of all gods, conqueror of all evil, dispenser of all boons in the Indian culture. She is considered the divine power of the universe from where all beings are born. This divine female energy is worshipped with intense adoration and devotion in India.

Yet, it is in India itself that we find the most intense contradiction towards the female shakti.

On one hand we surrender to the divine Durga to protect us and on the other hand we look down upon the feminine principle with condemnation, contempt, cause of all failures, source of lust and miseries.

An Indian woman suffers this wrath both in her mind and heart right from her birth. She struggles to understand her true role, position, and identity in human society. She lives in a dilemma, wondering whether to relate to the feminine deities being erected all around her or to an unborn female avatar which was never allowed to be born.

Since ancient times women have not been denied legal, social, and educational rights in India but certainly in practise they have been more preoccupied and confined to domestic affairs and that is where their social subordination began.

Despite such subjugation, women have survived important roles such as bold householders, strong mothers, queens, administrators, warriors, elected representatives and leaders. Therefore, despite oppression and denial, India has, time and again, truly experienced the shakti of this female creative force.

The way forward for India and humans in general is to treat the Female Shakti (The Feminine Powerhouse) with respect, deep regard, equal access to experiences, learning and opportunities. All sexes should be allowed to find, above all sexual differences, their full inner potential.

India, the land of diversity and contrast, India the ardent worshipper of the Shakti-The Durga can perhaps lead mankind into human success based in deep regard for the deep inner potential, intellectual prowess and ingenuity of women. Denying women their due place is denying mankind its due success.

Women Across the Globe

The battle for legal, civil, social, and educational equality is a central element of woman’s rights globally. However, a deeper understanding of the women’s needs has revealed that in daily life they struggle to voice their objections and opinions, struggle to agree or disagree, condemn, or promote, speak, share, discuss, and struggle to manage, participate and lead.

Therefore, it would not be incorrect to state that the battle is only half won if the women get access to education and opportunities but no access to exercise their will.

Women across the globe may be characterized by diversity in feminine energy and feminine approach to life, work, family, and society yet their basic emotional, psychological, physical, mental, intellectual, social, professional, and creative needs tie them together to a common cause. The common cause being-women across the globe want to be active participants and decision makers in their own lives and refuse the passivity that is expected of them.

A modern progressive woman prides herself with all her feminine virtues. She wishes to embrace her own self in entirety not to put men down but only to break out of an oppressed state so that she can realize her own untapped full potential.

Women today are capable of and want to accumulate the advantages of both the sexes, but she is not willing to pay an unfair price for achieving this. For instance, a young mother wants the right to work or not to work to lie within the realms of her decision-making powers.

She wishes to be able to make a choice between scenarios where in one she wishes to fully involve herself in her motherhood and suspend her professional aspirations without being made to feel undeserving or financially dependent. Or in another scenario where she wishes to strike a balance between her motherhood and professional duties and yet not labelled as irresponsible and selfish. Such a state of choice with dignity would be true liberation for a young mother.

Equal Education is a Steppingstone Towards Gender Equality, Quality Socialization and Economic Growth

Denying women access to equal and quality education opportunities encourages gender segregation and stereotypical behaviour in society. Perceptions towards gender roles are sowed by members of family and society very early on in the lives of men and women which adversely impacts the quality of the socialization process.

Creating gender neutral learning environments can serve as a steppingstone to quality socialization. This in turn can help in creating favourable position for women in creative, scientific, technological, professional endeavours and lessen their personal and social struggles.

Any society that denies and discourages women from boldly participating in the learning process is only encouraging biased patterns that are deeply rooted in promoting the influential masculine identity.

Quality education can help both men and women understand these deep-seated issues in our society, raise their collective and individual levels of awareness, understand the importance of all people, irrespective of sex, in building a healthy and conscious society. In order to ensure sustainable development, it has become imperative to recognize the importance of all the sexes.

When a girl is educated, she is empowered. She can make her own decisions, raise the standard of living for her family and children, create more job opportunities, and reform society as a whole. As a result, a shift in attitudes toward girl child education in India is urgently needed. Every girl child deserves to be treated with love and respect. If all girls complete their education and participate in the workforce, India could add a whopping $770 billion to the country’s GDP by 2025!

Some Important Statistics

As per statistics presented by UNICEF, 129 million girls are out of school around the world, including 32 million of primary school age, 30 million of lower-secondary school age, and 67 million of upper-secondary school age.

Borgen Project, a US based not for profit, study has revealed that every year, 23 million girls in India drop out of school after they begin menstruating due to lack of sanitary napkin dispensers and overall hygiene awareness in schools.

As per National Survey of India, Literacy Rate in India has increased from 73% in 2011 to 77.7% in 2022, however it still stands behind the global literacy rate which stands at 86.5% (as per UNESCO). Of the 77.7% Indian literacy rate in 2022, male literacy rate stands at 84.7% and female literacy rate stands at 70.3% as compared to global average female literacy rate of 79% (as per UNESCO).

There are several factors that influence poorer literacy rates in women as compared to men, the biggest and most crucial factors being inequality and sex-based discrimination. This discrimination pushes the girl child to either never be born (female infanticide) or the woman to be predominantly pushed into household affairs.

Low enrolment rates, high dropout rates, social discrimination, unsafe public spaces, prioritizing boy child education are some other important factors that negatively influence female education.

The Unique Challenges Facing Women in Education

Posted April 1, 2021
By Jill Anderson
Career and Lifelong Learning
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The pandemic has exposed many of the challenges facing women working in education. Yet, Jennie Weiner , Ed.M.'03, Ed.D.'12, an expert who studies how to create a more inclusive and equitable education field, acknowledges that many of the gender disparities in the education profession have long existed. Across the sector, women make up a majority of the education workforce but occupy barely a quarter of top leadership positions. This is not by accident, she says, but by systemic design.

“We've had a highly feminized profession, but feminized means both that women do the work, but also that it's devalued because it is women's work,” Weiner says, pointing to many issues that exist in education, such as underpaid teachers, buildings in disrepair, and even an “inverted” pyramid where men hold far more leadership positions than women.

“Many people would rather believe that hard work and being really good at what you do could outperform bias, and that's a lie. No matter how good you are, if we live in discriminatory system, that discrimination will raise its head," she says.

In this episode the EdCast, Weiner, an associate professor at the University of Connecticut, breaks down the gender issues in the field and suggests ways to push toward equality.

Jill Anderson: I'm Jill Anderson. This is the Harvard EdCast.

Jennie Weiner knows the pandemic has exposed gender inequities that don't often get talked about in education. It doesn't matter whether women work in early childhood, or higher education, or somewhere in between, these inequities play out similarly across the field. Jennie is an associate professor who studies how to make education more inclusive and equitable through educational leadership. Although females have long made up the bulk of the education workforce, they barely represent a quarter of top leadership roles. She says there's many reasons for how we've ended up with gender inequity in the field and society. I asked Jennie to tell me more about the unique challenges facing women in education.

Jennie Weiner: There are a number of challenges facing women in leadership generally, and then within the context of K12 specifically. Some of these challenges exist outside of the role, which are really about how our society frames the role of women and socialize us to understand what women should and shouldn't be doing within the space. Right? So for example, the idea that we should be the primary caretakers for our young children, which, of course, then creates complications if you don't have paid family leave, or access to reliable, cheap, and effective care for your children, and are attempting to work full time. Which was true in our context of our society prior to the pandemic, but of course has been exacerbated by the pandemic. We also have issues around who becomes caretakers, even if you don't have children for elderly parents, or for other kind of tasks within the context of a family, or an extended family.

So you have all that external socialization. And then you also have, what I would say is role socialization in leadership specifically, which is the way leadership is constructed in our society, and in education specifically, still really focuses on this idea of a lone hero, or heroic person, and I would argue, a white man, with characteristics that are stereotyped as masculine characteristics. So being very strong, or ambitious, or innovative, or aggressive, right? And we see this through our political cycles and in other spaces. So what happens is women may not be considered the best candidates for these positions because they hold other kinds of stereotyped ideas, right? So if you are more communally oriented, which should be a stereotype female, you're softer, you're emotional, you may not be seen as having leadership potential, right? And there's a lack of female mentors and women who are in charge in the first place to tap people along the trajectory.

But also if you exhibit traditionally, or stereotypically male characteristics that are more aligned with leadership, let's say being quite aggressive, or being innovative, we know that women often get criticized for exhibiting those behaviors. So I talk a lot about this idea of a double bind. So you have these externalized pathway issues and things that keep women from having full access to leadership that exist because of, again, our societal structures, and who gets to do what roles, and why, and how we think about that. But then we also have these internalized structures about how we understand and perceive what leadership is, and hence, who should be able to do it, and be successful, and thrive in the role. So it's a lot to say the least.

Jill Anderson: It is a lot. I think it's something that you can easily look at and see in K through 12.

Jennie Weiner: Right.

Jill Anderson: You look and you see a lot of females, predominantly females in education, but you don't often see them in roles of superintendency or principalship.

Jennie Weiner: So right now about 83 to 86% range of teachers are women. About 54% of principals are women, predominantly in elementary schools, and that's not an accident because elementary schools don't have after-school activities to the same extent. There's also ideas about women and their ability to facilitate, let's say discipline for older boys, and what they can handle. Also, women's willingness to blend their life and home life with their work life. So if I am a mother, am I willing to bring my kids to a bunch of basketball games, or activities at school consistently? If I'm a man, am I willing to do that?

And then at the superintendent level, it's been around 23% since the last 15 or 20 years. So, if you inverse that it's even more bananas, right? So you have, what is that then? 16% or so of teachers are men, about 50% of them are principals, and about 74% are superintendents. So, it's jarring in either direction, but I sometimes ask people to think in the reverse, right? But you have this teeny tiny pool at the bottom of the pyramid for men who are situated in schools and they're overwhelmingly more than 75% of the superintendents, the people in charge.

Jill Anderson: Right. And is it the same when you get into higher ed and you start looking at careers [crosstalk 00:05:16].

Jennie Weiner: Yes.

Jill Anderson: ... in academia, the same reflection.

Jennie Weiner: Right. And I think what's important to remember too, is historically it was built this way on purpose, Michael Apple, a scholar who studies the history of the profession, talks a lot about the ways in which we had to fill these common schools with an available workforce, people who could read and didn't have a lot of other options, and that was primarily women. So we've had a highly feminized profession, but feminized means both that women do the work, but also that it's devalued because it is women's work.

So that helps to explain why we have, for example, still issues around teachers being substantively underpaid, why buildings are in disrepair, and why we say we value education, but we consistently underfund it, and do not treat teachers with the respect I think that they deserve. And I think it's partially because it's mostly women who do that work over time, but it's also why we've created elaborate evaluation techniques to watch these women who need to be controlled and evaluated and observed to ensure they're doing the right thing within the context of schools. But teaching itself has been really situated as primarily a profession of women, and also then around caretaking as a primary driver as opposed to let's say high skills, knowledge capabilities. And academia is the same way. So it was created primarily for men, and therefore not surprising that it's very hard to break in, or deconstruct those ways of thinking about the work.

Jill Anderson: How has the pandemic really shifted this? Because this has been a long existing problem, but now we're hearing about it on so many levels and it's getting a lot of attention.

Jennie Weiner: Yeah. We're looking at somewhere between 2.5 and 4 million women leaving the workforce between the beginning of the pandemic and February of this year. So just that number is just breathtaking. Now, why? And it's intricately related to the things that we're discussing, right? So if you have professions, and you have, let's say a heterosexual couple, one is a man and one is a woman, and they both were working prior to the pandemic, it is highly likely because of the way discrimination works that the woman was in a lower paid field, or if she was in the same field, she was in a position in which she made less money than her husband.

In addition, many of the caretaking responsibilities within the context of the home that are considered to be stereotype female work, childcare, cleaning, scheduling, cooking, are usually taken up by women. So then the school is closed, there's no caretaking, you have young children, somebody has to give up their work in order to make that happen. If this is the parameters under which we make decisions, who's more likely to leave? Clearly the spouse who makes less money is more comfortable, or has been socialized to take on those roles within the context of the house before. And we see that, right? In fact, we actually saw quite a few women who made more money, or had their own professions and jobs, even those women leaving in favor of staying home.

And then we also, of course, to talk about this without talking about races, not really appropriate because most of the women who lost their jobs are women of color who were also in service industries, primarily in work that was most risk for catching COVID, whether that be home health care, the service industries, restaurants, cleaning services. And now they're also home and are unable to work, or have to put themselves at risk to facilitate their child, and their family having enough money to survive. So it exposed, I think things that were already there, but that we just never talked about in the public space.

Jill Anderson: There were mothers I know who were working in education, who were working as early childhood educators and decided to leave their jobs to be able to accommodate remote learning, or being home with their kids through this time. So definitely hearing that in my own world.

Jennie Weiner: Yeah. I think what you're saying is really powerful too, which I think people don't talk about, which is, if you have a profession, both early childcare providers and let's say any kind of childcare provider, and educators who are not childcare providers, but children go to school, is predominantly female. We can imagine that many of them probably have young children themselves. And yet the rhetoric has really been to not discuss that as if these are separate identities. So we say, why aren't the teachers, or the childcare providers doing their job? They should be open, without paying any attention to, if I'm a teacher and I'm supposed to be attending to my class full time, and I have a three-year-old, who's taking care of my three-year-old?

Jill Anderson: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Jennie Weiner: And I just feel like in the public discourse around school opening, they're not opening the idea, or understanding that many of these are young women with families who are facing the same challenges that I'm facing is not discussed. And I would just put that to people about how that reinforces our lack of discussion about women's rights and gender equity within the context of our society when we do not attend to that as part of the problem of schools reopening.

Jill Anderson: Well, since you've mentioned the, what you've just written about, which is your own experience, in a collection of essays being released looking at pandemic parenting, you talk about that experience of juggling the challenges of parenting while working in academia. So what has it been like for you?

Jennie Weiner: Dislocating, discombobulating. So I have twin nine year old boys, both of whom have been home with me for over a year now, now they've had full-time learning, but not in person. I think one of the things that's been so terribly difficult is so much of the gymnastics that I've had to do over the course of my career to simply persist and thrive in a space that's not made for me. So to constantly be in spaces and having to make really tough choices about, should I go to a conference? And then when I get to the conference, people say, well, who is taking care of your kids? Or I'm missing something that's happening at home, and I'm feeling that's really difficult and hard. And I've made so many, what I perceive to be sacrifices in a system that is not made for working mothers, or for people from non-traditional backgrounds in that space. And then to be home all the time and feel like some of that is slipping away, my identity and my ability to thrive in my workspace just gone.

And even though I think externally there's a sense that everybody's going through it, and I should just not be so hard on myself, I don't believe that the system will actually excuse women who have taken this time. I think that I have a lot of fear that if I don't keep juggling and pretzeling, that's not something I'm ever going to be able to make up, because, again, I've had to fight so hard just to feel like I had a space at the table. It's difficult to lose something that you feel like you've fought so hard for.

Jill Anderson: Yeah. You raised an interesting point because there have been some predictions made about how far this pandemic will definitely set women off course, and it's alarming. We're talking not just like, Oh, this is going to set women off by a couple of years, this is decades of setbacks from just this one year, year and a half, whatever it ends up being.

Jennie Weiner: Yeah. Basically like 1970s or something, yeah.

Jill Anderson: Which is crazy.

Jennie Weiner: It is really crazy. I think it tells you how precarious everything was, and on whoms back the progress had it been made. So because there haven't been attention to, let's say structural and systemic changes to our policies, to issues a place like the ERA for example, the Equal Rights Amendment never passed. The fact that many black and brown women are in low wage jobs and we can't pass a decent minimum wage. The fact that we don't have universal childcare, or universal pre-K. So what happens? Well, women behind the scenes address all those issues behind the scenes. And so every success to a large degree has been on the backs of the people who have been discriminated against, we've elbowed, and we've worked, and we've suffered, and we've done what we needed to do, but individual hard work is not a way to fix systems of oppression, it helps, but you can see, right? Once that fell down and we didn't have any systems to support us, the marbles all fell out of the bag.

I only hope, perhaps, that people will remember and understand the veil is off, that depending on women to just do more is not a way to create a just society. And we have to fight for these kinds of systemic changes that are going to make things different regardless of what the future holds in terms of calamity, or change, or whatever the fact may be.

Jill Anderson: We've heard a lot about the glass ceiling, especially even recently with Kamala Harris being elected, and a lot of us have heard of that term before, what is the glass cliff?

Jennie Weiner: So the glass cliff was brought about by some research by Haslam and Ryan, and they're British researchers. And I read in the newspaper, there was an article about how the FTSE Index, their publicly traded companies, how women were in charge of all the ones that were doing poorly, and therefore women must be poor leaders. They did analysis, and basically what they found was that women were more likely to be leaders within the context of companies that were not doing well, but they were hired once they started to decline. So the idea is that women and people of color, people who are traditionally marginalized from those kinds of leadership opportunities, are given the opportunity to lead, but only when an organization is in decline. And now, of course, that comes with a bunch of other parameters, right? So usually that also means often that you have a highly activist board.

So women who end up taking these positions spend far more time catering and having to deal with activist board members than do men. Additionally, when women start to improve the organization, they're not given credit for that. Alternatively, if something that looks like it's doomed to fail, and then they take over fails, they're blamed, and most often a white man is put back into the position after them. I'm actually studying this within the context of education superintendents, but I noticed, for example, I work in Connecticut, there are very few black women principals in a place like Hartford, but when you look at where they're placed, they tend to be placed in most of the turnaround schools, which are the chronically underperforming schools. April Peter speaks about how they're positioned as cleanup women to come in and mop up and clean up the mistakes others have made, but instead of being lauded for that, even when they have success, they're vilified as being difficult, or hard to work with, or aggressive in ways that are not valued, even when they have success in addressing the problems of the organizations. So it's pretty tricky.

Jill Anderson: What is the most important thing for a female in education leadership, whether it's K through 12, whether it's in academia?

Jennie Weiner: I'm often in places with women leaders, I'm often asked to speak and I facilitate a women superintendents group for the state of Connecticut, I'm so proud and privileged to have that opportunity. I think one thing that often happens is people are upset by hearing these truths. At the same time, because we'd all rather believe, or many people would rather believe that hard work and being really good at what you do could outperform bias, and that's a lie. No matter how good you are, if we live in discriminatory system, that discrimination will raise its head. Now, of course, there's exceptions, there's always exceptions, but on average, across, right? Most women are not exceptions. So what's the benefit of doing it then?

Well, the other piece of this is, if you don't have language and understand that there is something systemic happening, then when someone says to you, you don't really have leadership capabilities, or you're not really leadership material, you might believe them. You may actually begin to feel that the problem is you, because you look around and you're not seeing that happening to other people, or nobody's talking about it. And you internalize those feelings of shame and ineffectiveness, and you lay the blame on yourself. And that is terrible. And it's going to get us to come together, it's not going to help facilitate change, it's not going to move us to press, and push, and fight for something better on the horizon for us and other generation of women leaders.

And so I think it's a misnomer to say that liberation comes without pain because facing her truths is painful. It is painful to see that I can't out run discrimination, but I cannot be free. I cannot be liberated if I don't see how the system operates, because individuals cannot by themselves change discriminatory systems, we need each other. And the only way we can find each other is if we own up and talk about these experiences and connect them to something larger than ourselves.

Jill Anderson: But it doesn't feel like the conversation about gender bias happens as often, which is interesting in lieu of all of the information that we have about females in education.

Jennie Weiner: I am concerned about the ways in which gender identity and other forms of identity have not been taken up as part of the larger conversation about DEI efforts, and I wonder how we can have an anti-racist society without addressing patriarchy and vice versa, because patriarchy and white supremacy are intricately linked and both need to be addressed simultaneously for justice to come forward. I do not place one above the other, but I do think we can do hard things and we should, and need to talk about them as intricately linked, and when we don't, we miss quite a bit of the conversation.

Jill Anderson: To just backtrack on that, is that intersectional feminism?

Jennie Weiner: Part of the critic of the feminist movement was that it was predominantly women like me, upper-middle-class white women, who did not attend to the fact that they have particular privileges regarding that status, right? I'm not a low wage earner. I have documentation, I have particular freedoms and abilities to assert myself in spaces without the same repercussions, and that needs to be owned and understood. So intersectionality is really, really linked with black feminist thought, critical thought, and legal work as well. But the idea is that we have to attend to multiple forms of identity at once, and how that discrimination manifests across the spectrum. So a really concrete example, I think that's useful to think about within the context of education is, we still have very low numbers, but only 6% of principals are black women, which is just crazy, and much of this is actually a result of what happened in the post-brown era when schools integrated and they fired in mass something like 40,000 black educators, because when they integrated schools, they shut down black schools and fired black teachers and administrators, and replaced them with white administrators and teachers, which many people don't talk about, but it's important to our legacy and why we are where we are.

So if I was somebody who was interested in trying to recruit more people of color and women into, let's say administrative ranks, the reasons why they are not accessing those historically are different. So if I try to just do it through a white lens, right? So I'm addressing gender, but if I only do it through a white lens, I may not be attending to the ways in which racial discrimination and this legacy is impacting black women's ability to access, feel successful, and how they're treated in the role, right? So the solutions may look different, and the ways in which I engage and think about them may look different because I understand that both of those things matter as do potentially other things that are the ways in which discrimination operates to allow them to have access and thrive in those positions. So I think the lack of attention to that is really, really problematic. And again, those are just a few, right? We could talk about LBGTQ. We know that immigration status, other things that bring about different ways of interacting with systemic oppression, and then, again, how we might attend to that and think about it if we really want things to change.

Jill Anderson: So it feels so huge that it can almost feel like it's difficult to know how to take a step toward change. And so even in lieu of the pandemic, which is almost like this dark cloud lingering over it. So what about next steps?

Jennie Weiner: On one hand you could say, I feel really overwhelmed because of all the things that you just said. On the other hand, you could say, wow, there's so much work to do, and there's so many different, based on my skills, capabilities, orientation, understandings, I could get involved at so many levels, right? I could get involved in my intimate relationship with my partner and discuss about the balance of work and why things are, and start begin to question that, and that would be, I think, a feminist action. There are ways to be engaged in sisterhood to support women in your place of work, for example, here's just a small one. You go to a meeting frequently and your female colleagues said something, and then five minutes later your male colleague says it and everyone says, Bill, that's a great idea. Thank you for sharing that. I think a lot of women, if they're listening to this, may have had that experience.

So you may be with women in your group and speak to them and say, whenever someone says something, we're going to amplify it. So now this time Jill says something wonderful, and then Bill says it, and Bill repeats it, and I said, yes, I loved it when Jill said it five minutes ago. These are small, but I think if we first name things as problematic and situated outside of ourselves, and two, come together around them, right? We can run for office, run for office, if you're listening, run for office, run for your school board, put that in your pocket, understand that issues around fair pay are feminist issues, issues around childcare are feminist issues. Access to healthcare is a feminist issue. Read, study, affiliate, fight.

I'm working really hard to try to imagine a future that doesn't look just like trying to get more women look like men, in the sense of, I don't want our future to have to be that women have to take on the attributes of men to feel successful and gain access. I want us to begin to think about a future that's not imagined, or created yet, but to do that, we have to talk to each other like we are now, and tell the truth about how we feel, and about what's hard about it, and that these things are happening to all of us, and that we're in solidarity, and I think that's where change starts to happen.

Jill Anderson: Well, thank you so much, Jennie.

Jennie Weiner: Thank you. It was so fun.

Jill Anderson: Jennie Weiner, is an associate professor of educational leadership at the University of Connecticut. She authored an essay in the forthcoming book, Pandemic Parenting: The Collision of Schoolwork and Life at Home . She will also teach in the upcoming Women in Education Leadership Program as part of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, professional education. I'm Jill Anderson. This is the Harvard EdCast produced by the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Thanks for listening.

An education podcast that keeps the focus simple: what makes a difference for learners, educators, parents, and communities

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The Education of Women, by Daniel Defoe

'To such whose genius would lead them to it, I would deny no sort of learning'

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An Introduction to Punctuation
Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
B.A., English, State University of New York

Best known as the author of " Robinson Crusoe " (1719), Daniel Defoe was an extremely versatile and prolific author. A journalist as well as a novelist, he produced more than 500 books, pamphlets, and journals.

The following essay first appeared in 1719, the same year in which Defoe published the first volume of Robinson Crusoe. Observe how he directs his appeals to a male audience as he develops his argument that women should be allowed full and ready access to education.

The Education of Women

by Daniel Defoe

I have often thought of it as one of the most barbarous customs in the world, considering us as a civilized and a Christian country, that we deny the advantages of learning to women. We reproach the sex every day with folly and impertinence; while I am confident, had they the advantages of education equal to us, they would be guilty of less than ourselves.

One would wonder, indeed, how it should happen that women are conversible at all; since they are only beholden to natural parts, for all their knowledge. Their youth is spent to teach them to stitch and sew or make baubles. They are taught to read, indeed, and perhaps to write their names, or so; and that is the height of a woman’s education. And I would but ask any who slight the sex for their understanding, what is a man (a gentleman, I mean) good for, that is taught no more? I need not give instances, or examine the character of a gentleman, with a good estate, or a good family, and with tolerable parts; and examine what figure he makes for want of education.

The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond; and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear. And ’tis manifest, that as the rational soul distinguishes us from brutes; so education carries on the distinction, and makes some less brutish than others. This is too evident to need any demonstration. But why then should women be denied the benefit of instruction? If knowledge and understanding had been useless additions to the sex, GOD Almighty would never have given them capacities; for he made nothing needless. Besides, I would ask such, What they can see in ignorance, that they should think it a necessary ornament to a woman? or how much worse is a wise woman than a fool? or what has the woman done to forfeit the privilege of being taught? Does she plague us with her pride and impertinence? Why did we not let her learn, that she might have had more wit? Shall we upbraid women with folly, when ’tis only the error of this inhuman custom, that hindered them from being made wiser?

The capacities of women are supposed to be greater, and their senses quicker than those of the men; and what they might be capable of being bred to, is plain from some instances of female wit, which this age is not without. Which upbraids us with Injustice, and looks as if we denied women the advantages of education, for fear they should vie with the men in their improvements.

[They] should be taught all sorts of breeding suitable both to their genius and quality. And in particular, Music and Dancing; which it would be cruelty to bar the sex of, because they are their darlings. But besides this, they should be taught languages, as particularly French and Italian: and I would venture the injury of giving a woman more tongues than one. They should, as a particular study, be taught all the graces of speech , and all the necessary air of conversation ; which our common education is so defective in, that I need not expose it. They should be brought to read books, and especially history; and so to read as to make them understand the world, and be able to know and judge of things when they hear of them.

To such whose genius would lead them to it, I would deny no sort of learning; but the chief thing, in general, is to cultivate the understandings of the sex, that they may be capable of all sorts of conversation; that their parts and judgments being improved, they may be as profitable in their conversation as they are pleasant.

Women, in my observation, have little or no difference in them, but as they are or are not distinguished by education. Tempers, indeed, may in some degree influence them, but the main distinguishing part is their Breeding.

The whole sex are generally quick and sharp. I believe, I may be allowed to say, generally so: for you rarely see them lumpish and heavy, when they are children; as boys will often be. If a woman be well bred, and taught the proper management of her natural wit, she proves generally very sensible and retentive.

And, without partiality, a woman of sense and manners is the finest and most delicate part of God's Creation, the glory of Her Maker, and the great instance of His singular regard to man, His darling creature: to whom He gave the best gift either God could bestow or man receive. And ’tis the sordidest piece of folly and ingratitude in the world, to withhold from the sex the due luster which the advantages of education gives to the natural beauty of their minds.

A woman well bred and well taught, furnished with the additional accomplishments of knowledge and behavior, is a creature without comparison. Her society is the emblem of sublimer enjoyments, her person is angelic, and her conversation heavenly. She is all softness and sweetness, peace, love, wit, and delight. She is every way suitable to the sublimest wish, and the man that has such a one to his portion, has nothing to do but to rejoice in her, and be thankful.

On the other hand, Suppose her to be the very same woman, and rob her of the benefit of education, and it follows—-

If her temper be good, want of education makes her soft and easy.

Her wit, for want of teaching, makes her impertinent and talkative.

Her knowledge, for want of judgment and experience, makes her fanciful and whimsical.

If her temper be bad, want of breeding makes her worse; and she grows haughty, insolent, and loud.

If she be passionate, want of manners makes her a termagant and a scold, which is much at one with Lunatic.

If she be proud, want of discretion (which still is breeding) makes her conceited, fantastic, and ridiculous.

And from these she degenerates to be turbulent, clamorous, noisy, nasty, the devil!--

The great distinguishing difference, which is seen in the world between men and women, is in their education; and this is manifested by comparing it with the difference between one man or woman, and another.

And herein it is that I take upon me to make such a bold assertion, That all the world are mistaken in their practice about women. For I cannot think that God Almighty ever made them so delicate, so glorious creatures; and furnished them with such charms, so agreeable and so delightful to mankind; with souls capable of the same accomplishments with men: and all, to be only Stewards of our Houses, Cooks, and Slaves.

Not that I am for exalting the female government in the least: but, in short, I would have men take women for companions, and educate them to be fit for it. A woman of sense and breeding will scorn as much to encroach upon the prerogative of man, as a man of sense will scorn to oppress the weakness of the woman. But if the women’s souls were refined and improved by teaching, that word would be lost. To say, the weakness of the sex, as to judgment, would be nonsense; for ignorance and folly would be no more to be found among women than men.

I remember a passage, which I heard from a very fine woman. She had wit and capacity enough, an extraordinary shape and face, and a great fortune: but had been cloistered up all her time; and for fear of being stolen, had not had the liberty of being taught the common necessary knowledge of women’s affairs. And when she came to converse in the world, her natural wit made her so sensible of the want of education, that she gave this short reflection on herself: "I am ashamed to talk with my very maids," says she, "for I don’t know when they do right or wrong. I had more need go to school, than be married."

I need not enlarge on the loss the defect of education is to the sex; nor argue the benefit of the contrary practice. ’Tis a thing will be more easily granted than remedied. This chapter is but an Essay at the thing: and I refer the Practice to those Happy Days (if ever they shall be) when men shall be wise enough to mend it.

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Essay on Women Education 500+ Words

Education is a powerful tool that opens doors to opportunities, growth, and progress. One crucial aspect of education is ensuring that women have equal access to it. In this essay, we will explore the significance of women’s education, its impact on individuals and societies, and why it is essential to promote and support women’s educational rights.

Defining Women’s Education

Women’s education refers to the provision of learning opportunities and resources to girls and women. It encompasses formal education in schools, colleges, and universities, as well as informal education through workshops, community programs, and self-directed learning. Women’s education is a fundamental human right and a key driver of gender equality.

The Historical Perspective

Throughout history, access to education for women has been limited in many parts of the world. Women were often denied the opportunity to learn, and their potential remained untapped. However, brave individuals and movements fought for women’s right to education, paving the way for progress.

For instance, pioneers like Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, championed girls’ education in Pakistan and worldwide. Her advocacy highlights the importance of education for girls and women and the need to break down barriers that prevent them from learning.

The Benefits of Women’s Education

Women’s education offers numerous benefits, both on an individual and societal level. When women are educated, they have better opportunities for employment and career advancement. This economic independence can lead to improved living standards and reduced poverty.

According to UNESCO, educating women can have a profound impact on child health and nutrition. Educated mothers are more likely to make informed decisions about their children’s health and well-being, leading to healthier families.

Empowerment and Gender Equality

Education empowers women by providing them with knowledge, skills, and confidence. It enables them to participate in decision-making processes, advocate for their rights, and challenge gender stereotypes and discrimination. Women who are educated are more likely to become leaders in their communities and contribute to positive societal change.

For example, women like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, used their education and legal expertise to advance gender equality and women’s rights through their work.

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

Women’s education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. When women have access to education, they can secure better-paying jobs and provide for their families. This economic stability has a ripple effect on future generations, as educated mothers are more likely to invest in their children’s education and well-being.

A study by the World Bank found that increasing girls’ education by one year can lead to an 18% increase in a country’s GDP. This demonstrates the significant economic impact of women’s education.

Women as Agents of Change

Educated women are not only beneficiaries of change but also agents of change in their communities and nations. They play a vital role in addressing social and environmental issues, promoting peace, and advocating for human rights. Women’s education equips them with the tools to be leaders and catalysts for positive transformation.

Conclusion of Essay on Women Education

In conclusion, women’s education is a fundamental right that has far-reaching positive effects on individuals, families, and societies. It empowers women, promotes gender equality, and contributes to economic growth and poverty reduction. Moreover, educated women become advocates for change and leaders in their communities, making the world a better place for all.

As we continue to champion women’s education, let us remember the words of Malala Yousafzai: “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” By ensuring that girls and women have access to education, we are not only changing their lives but also shaping a brighter future for everyone.

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1.2: Women and Education

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Chapter 2: Women and Education

Chapter summary.

Why Educating Girls Matters
How Girls and Women Have Fared since Beijing
What We Can Learn from Successful Efforts?
Profile: Rita Conceição
Project: Educating Women about Technology

Additional Resources

This chapter discusses the right to education and provides several examples of non-profit organizations that are working towards enhancing education among women. Education escalated as a global priority during the 1990s, featured at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, and the 2000 Millennium Summit. Prior to the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), evidence of the economic and social benefits resulting from educating women and girls began to accumulate. The links were clear: educated women are more likely to have fewer, healthier, and better-educated children that will survive into adulthood and ultimately contribute to economic growth. According to UNESCO, in 2008 there were 96 and 95 girls per 100 boys in primary and secondary school, respectively. While the chapter does not discuss tertiary education, additional resources below will fill in statistics on gender gaps in post-secondary, which continue to vary at national and regional levels; women outnumber men in the post-secondary environment of developed countries by a significant margin, yet are still underrepresented in high-paying disciplines such as science and engineering and constitute only 30 percent of researchers.

The chapter examines several organizations working to improve women’s education from the standpoints of both community organizing and technology education. Bahia Street was founded by Rita Conceição in the informal communities of Salvador, Brazil. It began as a lunch program and evolved into a community centre conducting social-justice education among black women and girls on racism, gender-based violence, and reproductive rights. In rural Senegal, the international organization Tostan formed the Community Empowerment Program (CEP) to integrate mobile technology into writing and literacy programs. This initiative was developed in Wolof, the local language, and the program’s exercises in learning to use mobile phones are carried out using culturally appropriate and recognizable symbols. Tostan also initiated the Rural Energy Foundation, a community-based project to provide solar-powered charging stations for mobile phones.

Bahia Street
Community Empowerment Program (CEP)
Gender-based violence
International non-governmental organization (INGO)
Jokko Initiative
Non-formal education
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
Non-profit organization
Reproduction
Sexual violence
Rita Conceição
Rural Energy Foundation
United Nations Children’s Rights and Emergency Relief Organization (UNICEF)
United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
United Nations Millennium Summit
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
1994 International Conference on Population and Development
1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing

Figure 2.1: Few investments have as large a payoff as girls’ education. Educated women are more likely to ensure health care for their families, educate their children and become income earners. The Zarghuna Girls School in Kabul, Afghanistan, depicted here, is supported by the United Nations Children’s’ Fund (UNICEF).

By Lori S. Ashford

T he right to education for all has been an international goal for decades, but since the 1990s, women’s education and empowerment have come into sharp focus. Several landmark conferences, including the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, held in Cairo, and the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, placed these issues at the center of development efforts.

The Millennium Development Goals — agreed to by world leaders at the U.N. Millennium Summit in 2000 — call for universal primary education and for closing the gender gap in secondary and higher education. These high-level agreements spawned initiatives around the world to increase girls’ school enrollments. Changes since 1990 have been remarkable, considering the barriers that had to be overcome in developing countries.

In many traditional societies, girls are prevented from attaining their full potential because of lower priority placed on educating daughters (who marry and leave the family) and the lower status of girls and women in general. Families may also have concerns about the school fees, girls being taught by male teachers and girls’ safety away from home. Governments and communities have begun to break down these barriers, however, because of overwhelming evidence of the benefits of educating girls.

Figure 2.2: A woman in Bangladesh studies in an adult literacy class in a rural village. The teacher is from the village and trained at a college nearby.

Why educating girls matters

Few investments have as large a payoff as girls’ education. Household surveys in developing countries have consistently shown that women with more education have smaller, healthier and better-educated families. The linkages are clear: Educated women are more likely to take care of their health, desire fewer children and educate them well, which, in turn, makes it more likely their children will survive and thrive into adulthood.

Research by the World Bank and other organizations has shown that increasing girls’ schooling boosts women’s wages and leads to faster economic growth than educating only boys. Moreover, when women earn more money, they are more likely to invest it in their children and households, enhancing family wealth and well-being. Other benefits of women’s education captured in studies include lower levels of HIV infection, domestic violence and harmful practices toward women, such as female genital cutting and bride burning.

Figure 2.3: Corporate support of girls’ education is exemplified by Motorola’s “Introduce a Girl to Engineering” event, part of the company’s initiative to attract U.S. children to science and foster innovation early. Here Motorola engineer Deb Matteo conducts a light and color experiment with two young participants.

How girls and women have fared since Beijing

Advances in girls’ education worldwide have been a success story in development. According to UNESCO, 96 girls were enrolled in primary school for every 100 boys in 2008, up from 84 girls per 100 boys in 1995. The ratio for secondary school is close behind, at 95 girls to 100 boys in 2008. By 2005, nearly two-thirds of countries had closed the gap between girls’ and boys’ school enrollments. Girls still lag behind boys in university-level education worldwide, but the gap is closing over time.

Girls lag farthest behind in the poorest countries, such as Afghanistan, Chad, Central African Republic and Mali, where overall school enrollments are low. In Somalia, only half as many girls are enrolled in school as boys: 23 percent of girls compared to 42 percent of boys in 2008, according to UNESCO. Girls’ schooling and literacy lag well behind boys in much of sub-Saharan Africa and Western and Southern Asia, where much work remains to be done.

At the other end of the spectrum, in countries with high levels of school enrollment, girls often fare better than boys. In much of Latin America, Europe, East Asia and in the United States, girls’ enrollments in secondary and higher education have surpassed those of their male peers, demonstrating what girls and women can achieve once the barriers to education have been overcome.

Still, women account for two-thirds of the world’s illiterate adults, because older women are less likely to have attended school than their younger counterparts. They are also much more likely to be illiterate if they are poor and live in rural areas. Literacy programs and continuing education exist, but the efforts are not systematically reported across countries. In addition, girls and women are disadvantaged when it comes to technical and vocational education, in fields such as science and technology that have long been dominated by men.

What can we learn from successful efforts?

Many gains in women’s education can be attributed to special interventions such as the elimination of school fees, scholarships, community schools for girls and the training of women teachers. Such targeted efforts have translated into higher girls’ school enrollments in countries as diverse as Bangladesh, Yemen, Morocco, Uganda and Brazil. Political commitment is essential for raising the profile of the issue and increasing girls’ access to schooling. Mexico pioneered a major social program — now replicated in impoverished communities in the United States and other countries — that pays families to keep their children, particularly girls, in school.

Because the gender gap is wider at higher levels of education, it will not be enough for girls to merely sign up for school; they need to stay in school. Governments, educators and communities must address issues such as gender stereotypes that reinforce women’s lower status, poor school quality, and early marriage and childbearing, which often cut short women’s education. Also, the mismatch between education and the skills needed for today’s workforce must be corrected. These steps may ensure that girls reap the greatest benefits from education. Countries that are committed to gender equality will not only see better report cards in education, they’ll be healthier and wealthier as well.

Lori S. Ashford, a freelance consultant, has written about global population, health and women’s issues for 20 years. Formerly with the Population Reference Bureau (PRB), she authored the widely disseminated PRB “Women of Our World” data sheets and “New Population Policies: Advancing Women’s Health and Rights” for the Population Bulletin, among other publications.

PROFILE: Rita Conceição – Bahia Street

By Margaret Willson

Figure 2.4: After growing up poor in Brazil, Rita Conceição saw education as the path out of poverty. Her determination got her to university, and her desire to help other women led her to found Bahia Street.

B orn in one of the vast shantytowns of Salvador, Brazil, Rita Conceição knew at an early age the realities of violence, poverty and death. She also knew she wanted something different.

“My mother had lots of children and a hard life. She died young, so I brought up my brothers and sisters. I knew I didn’t want that life.”

With great determination, Rita traveled more than an hour each way by public bus to a school where she could learn to read and write. She loved the arts and took up photography. While still a teenager, Rita took courageous photos of protests against the then-ruling Brazilian military dictatorship.

“I didn’t think of a black or gender consciousness,” she says. “People never talked about racism then.” But all around her she saw women like herself working as maids for slave wages, the only job (except prostitution) open to them.

Rita decided she wanted to go to university, an almost impossible dream for someone from the shantytowns. While working a full-time job, she tried the difficult university entrance exam three times and failed. Refusing to give up, she took it a fourth time and passed, gaining entrance into the Federal University of Bahia, the best in her state.

When I first met Rita in 1991, she had earned her university degree in sociology. Once she had a chance to leave the shantytown where she was born, Rita, unlike any other person I ever met there, decided instead to stay and fight the inequality she knew so well. So in 1996, when she invited me to join her in working for equality for the people of her communities, I committed to help in any way I could. From this partnership the nonprofit Bahia Street was born.

Listening to what the people in her community told her answered their dire need for expression and opened a strong avenue for change. Rita initiated a quality education program for girls that would allow them to enter university and change their futures. Rita drew on her own struggles, using the strengths that propelled her from a shantytown to university. She incorporated race and gender consciousness into the Bahia Street classes. Seeing that the girls could not study because they were half starving, she began a lunch program, cooking and buying the food herself until she could find someone to help her. She knew that most girls from these shantytowns get pregnant by age 14, so she began teaching the girls about reproduction, sexual violence and self-esteem.

“As I was growing up,” she says, “the girls in my family were never valued as much as the boys. This still exists in our society, but I say to the girls that their roots are their reality. I pass on to them the importance of ethics, self-respect and the solidarity of women. They see in me the difference it makes — what choices you make in your life — and also the strength it takes. If women are to become equal, these qualities and knowledge are vital.”

After years of renting or borrowing tiny rooms for its classes, Bahia Street was finally able to buy a building. The only problem was that the building was falling down. Rita saw this as no problem at all. She employed local men and oversaw its complete reconstruction. To save money, the men mixed the cement in wheelbarrows and poured it by hand. Rita roamed the city, looking for sales; she negotiated with merchants to donate materials that she then brought back on public bus, since she had no car. Slowly, the building took shape. When the first floor was mostly finished, Rita, her staff and the girls moved in.

Figure 2.5: Conceição poses with some of the students at Bahia Street.

The five-story Bahia Street Center is now complete, with classrooms, kitchen, library, computer lab and much more. In addition to education and support programs for the girls, Bahia Street now offers classes for the girls’ caregivers and other community members. It has become a haven for the girls and a community gathering place.

“We teach the girls to take care of others in their lives as well. Women take care of the children, and in that is the future of our society. The work we do is a form of black resistance. We are working for the survival of the black people in Bahia, showing that as black women, we can have equality and shape the future. In Bahia Street, we are giving girls the chance my mother never had.”

When people talk with her about her remarkable achievements, Rita is humble and realistic. “In Bahia Street,” she says, “I really found my identity. Managing to create Bahia Street continues to be an amazing process, and I have learned a consciousness myself through this process.”

Recently, Bahia Street graduate Daza completed university with a journalism degree. In Daza, shantytown residents have a voice they never had before. And the long-term Bahia Street vision of fostering equality for shantytown women is becoming a reality.

Rita laughs with a smile that, in its brightness, knows suffering, love and strength. “And the work continues. That is the way for all of us. If we are to make a better world, the work is what we do.”

Margaret Willson is co-founder and international director of Bahia Street. She is affiliate assistant professor in anthropology at the University of Washington. Her most recent book is Dance Lest We All Fall Down: Breaking Cycles of Poverty in Brazil and Beyond (University of Washington Press, 2010).

PROJECT: Educating Women About Technology

By Renee Ho

Mobile technology is improving the lives of illiterate women and girls in rural Senegal, and educating them in the process, thanks to an organization that teaches them to use mobile phones.

A stou watches as the photographer raises his camera to capture the crowded village classroom. She adjusts her nursing infant and turns her own camera on him — only hers is a mobile phone. For the past few weeks, Astou has been participating in a community-led mobile technology course taught in her local language of Wolof. She and hundreds of other women and girls throughout rural Senegal have learned how to make and receive calls, compose and send SMS messages and use phone functions such as calculators, alarms and, yes, sometimes even cameras.

Astou is a bright 24-year-old mother of four children. She had seen her husband use a mobile phone, but prior to this class she had never touched one herself. “Before, he would not let me use the phone because he feared I would waste the credit,” she laughs, “but now he asks me to teach him and we are saving to buy another for me.”

Two years ago, Astou was not only unfamiliar with how to use a mobile phone, but she was illiterate. Composing or reading an SMS text message would have been impossible for her. Like most of the women and girls in her village in the region of Vélingara, Senegal, Astou never attended school. Household responsibilities and the cost of schooling prevented her from receiving a formal education. She married at 16 years of age — the average age for girls in rural Senegal.

In a country with a 41.9 percent literacy rate, Astou is breaking norms and the cyclical trap of poverty. In 2008, Tostan, an international nongovernmental development organization, started the Community Empowerment Program (CEP) — a 30-month human rights-based, nonformal education program — in her village. More than 80 percent of CEP participants are women and girls. They begin the program with sessions on human rights, democracy, health and hygiene and problem-solving. Later, they continue with lessons on literacy, numeracy and project management.

Once participants have achieved basic literacy, however, they often lack a practical means of maintaining it. As a solution, Tostan partnered with UNICEF to launch the Jokko Initiative in 2009 (jokko means “communication” in Wolof). The initiative incorporates mobile technology into CEP as way to reinforce reading and writing skills. The Jokko module teaches participants how to use basic mobile phone functions and SMS texting. It uses interactive visuals and skits that focus on relevant applications and the relative affordability of texting. “I text messages better [than my husband] and that saves us money on expensive calls,” explains Astou.

Figure 2.6: The Tostan Jokko community empowerment program teaches women to use mobile phones.

Outside of the classroom, students circle around a strange arrangement of sticks. With a little explanation, the sticks come to represent a mango tree. Khady, age 52, walks along the “tree branches” and stops at each fork where signs are placed: Contacts, Search, Add Contact. This activity teaches participants how to navigate the phone’s main menu. It is just one example of what makes Tostan’s educational model work: adapting lessons to cultural contexts and using appropriate local references.

“Before, if I wanted to send a text message, I had to ask for help,” Khady says, “but now I am much more independent. Now people come to me and I’m happy to teach them.” When mobile phone technology reaches women and girls, it amplifies their voices and influence in community decisionmaking. They become agents of their own change. Khady continues to explain how the CEP provided her with basic math and management skills. With several boys and girls huddled around, she demonstrates how the phone’s calculator helps her manage her peanut-selling business.

Mobile phone technology has connected women and girls to market information and opportunities, family in the diaspora and, perhaps most fundamentally, to each other. The phones have been critical for community organization and social mobilization. Tostan’s Jokko Initiative has developed a unique social networking platform that allows participants to send an SMS message to a central server, where it is then sent out to an entire community of other users. One participant explains, “It’s when you send multiple messages at once — a cheaper method of communication.” The platform is used for community advocacy campaigns. Women send, for example, reminders of vaccination and school enrollment dates.

The Jokko Initiative has reached 350 villages and continues to grow. Tostan has directly trained about 23,585 people, but the high demand for knowledge and the eagerness of participants to share information suggests that thousands more have benefited.

In the project’s next phase, Tostan will partner with the Rural Energy Foundation (ruralenergy.nl/), a nonprofit organization that helps rural communities gain access to renewable energy. Currently, about 80 percent of rural Senegal lacks electricity, so charging phones often involves risky and inconvenient trips into the nearest small town. To alleviate this, Tostan will pilot community-led, solar-powered charging stations. These telecenters will provide electricity for mobile phones, and the income generated by these microenterprises will be reinvested in other community-led development projects.

Figure 2.7: Women, some of them illiterate, learn to navigate the main menu of a mobile phone through an arrangement of branches on the ground.

Mobile phone use in Africa is growing twice as fast as in any other region in the world. In Senegal, the number of SIM card purchases nearly doubled from 2007 to 2009, up to 6.9 million. But as Tostan has found, absolute numbers alone do not empower communities. Success in low-income countries requires bridging the gender gap. Putting knowledge and technology in the hands of women — literally— is critical to achieving lasting development.

Renee Ho is a volunteer at Tostan International in Dakar, Senegal. Her interests include women and the technology divide in lower-income countries. More information is online at http://www.tostan.org .

Multiple Choice Questions

2000 Millennium Development Summit
None of the above
Take care of their health
Desire fewer children
Educate their children well
All of the above
Afghanistan
Older women are less likely to have attended school than their younger counterparts
High-paying majors such as science and technology remain dominated by men
Women living in rural areas have less access to educational services
Engages in community building, gender and race consciousness work.
Provides small-interest loans to allow women in the shantytowns of Salvador to become entrepreneurs
Teaches women to use Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) more efficiently
Helps rural communities gain access to renewable energy
Margaret Wilson
Sheryl Sandberg
The importance of domestic and household responsibilities
Project management
The Community Empowerment Program (CEP)
Free the Children
The Jokko Initiative
Incorporates mobile technology into CEP as a way to reinforce reading and writing skills
Teaches participants how to use SMS functions
Connects women and girls to market information opportunities
All the above
Was developed in partnership with the UNICEF
Focuses on rights-based empowerment rather than economic and entrepreneurial capacity building
Adapts lessons to cultural contexts and uses appropriate cultural references
Held focus groups with local government officials instead of community stakeholders
Fund an increase in the amount of mobile phones in sub-Saharan Africa
Pilot community-led solar-power charging stations for mobile phones
Fund a the construction and operation of a solar-energy plant in Vélingara, Senegal
Construct several powerlines to provide energy to rural Senegalese communities
Putting knowledge and technology in the hands of women
More efficient mechanisms to send text messages
More affordable mobile phones for women and children
The correct answer is C. The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (answer A) and the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing (answer B) were both milestones in placing women’s empowerment on the global agenda. However, it was the 2000 Millennium Development Summit (answer C) where world leaders agreed on the target of universal primary education as part of the MDGs.
The correct answer is D (all of the above).
Answers A and D are correct. Morocco (answer B) and Bangladesh (answer C) are both countries where governments have committed to action and have seen higher enrollment among women and girls in education.
Answer C is correct. The gender ratio is the most equal for primary school enrollment (answer A) with 96 girls for every 100 boys, and the ratio for secondary school (answer B) is similar, at 95 girls per 100 boys. The education gap is the widest at the post-secondary, or tertiary, level (answer C).
Answer D (all of the above) is correct.
Answer A is correct. Bahia Street works to builds solidarity and facilitates consciousness around gender and race among black communities in Salvador, Brazil. The organization is not a microfinance institution (answer B). The Community Empowerment Program (CEP) in Velingara, Senegal, provides capacity building for women to use ICTs (answer C), and the Rural Energy Foundation (answer D) is a non-profit that helps rural communities gain access to renewable energy.
The correct answer is D. Bahia Street was founded by Rita Conceição, who grew up in the shantytowns of Salvador and wanted to build community and raise political consciousness among young black girls living in the community. Renee Ho (answer B) was the writer of the chapter on the Community Empowerment Program. Margaret Wilson (answer A) is the co-founder of Bahia Street. Sheryl Sandberg (answer C) is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Facebook and the author of the book Lean In.
The correct answer is A. The CEP does NOT teach girls about the importance of domestic responsibilities. The program recognizes that unpaid domestic labour among women can prevent them from progressing in formal education and instead teaches skills in literacy (answer B), numeracy (answer C), and project management (answer D).
The correct answer is D (the Jokko Initiative). UNICEF (answer A) is a partner in the Jokko project. The CEP (answer B) is also implemented by Tostan but is a rights-based education program.
The correct answer is D. (all the above).
The correct answer is C. Tostan’s educational model works because it adapts lessons to cultural contexts and uses appropriate cultural references. The CEP focuses on rights-based empowerment (answer B). The Jokko Initiative was developed in partnership with UNICEF (answer A) but was not emphasized by the textbook as the primary reason for the project’s success. Tostan’s model was developed in close consultation with the community, so answer D is incorrect.
Answer B is correct. The Rural Energy Foundation will pilot the development of community-led solar-power charging stations for mobile phones in Senegal. Mobile phone ownership rates are rapidly increasing across Africa, but the Foundation will be making this trend more sustainable, rather than simply contributing to the volume of phones (answer A). The Foundation is not supporting the construction of a solar energy plant (answer C) or powerlines (answer D).
Answer A is correct. The Rural Energy Foundation will put knowledge and technology in the hands of women as means to achieve long-lasting development. More efficient and affordable text messages (answers B and C) are a product of the Jokko Foundation.

Discussion Questions

Rita Conceição names a number of values she incorporates into advice she gives to girls who are a part of Bahia Street. What are some of these values and why do you think they are important to her?
Describe some methods Jokko Initiative uses to educate women about technology. Compare and contrast Bahia Street with the Jokko Initiative.
Use external research to find the most recent gender ratio for tertiary education. How does this ratio change at national, regional, and global levels?
What are the risks of grouping different countries into categories of most and least educated? What trends are included and overlooked when using this approach?
How did the emphasis on education from the Millennial Development Goals transfer over to the Sustainable Development Goals? What kind of presence do education, gender, and technology have in the Sustainable Development Goals?
What are some examples of the role of technology in political change? Is there a connection between the use of technology for education and its use for broader social movements?
What are some examples of how social media has influenced women’s political, social, or economic empowerment?

Essay Questions

The textbook notes that “mobile phone use is increasing twice as fast in Africa as in any other region in the world” (p. 37). What are the benefits of having a mobile phone on an individual, organizational, or community level? Are mobile phones or other pieces of information and communication technology simply neutral devices or tools of political influence?
What does the Jokko Initiative demonstrate about the benefits of incorporating local knowledge into development programs? What are some ways of ensuring that local symbols, values, and perspectives are integrated into education and capacity-building projects?
Rita Conceição, founder of Bahia Street, was quoted saying “we teach the girls to take care of others in their lives as well. Women take care of the children, and that is the future of our society.” What are the implications of this statement in the context of gender norms, care, and domestic labour?

EdTechWomen. “About ETW.” (2016). New York, NY. A New York-based organization that supports the leadership and capacity of women in education technology.

http://edtechwomen.com/

Cornwall, A. “Women’s Empowerment: What Works?” Journal of International Development 28 (3), 342 – 359. (2016). Draws on a multi-country research study to examine women’s individual journeys towards empowerment.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jid.3210/full

Foster, D. & Fitzgerald, M. “Is Capitalism Destroying Feminism? An Interview with Dawn Foster.” OpenDemocracy. (2016). An interview with Dawn Foster, a journalist who writes on gender, politics and social affairs. Her book Lean Out is a response to Sandberg’s Lean In , and takes a more institutional approach to discussing women in the workplace through a lens of not only gender, but also class, race, and empire.

https://www.opendemocracy.net/dawn-foster-mary-fitzgerald/is-capitalism-destroying-feminism-interview-with-dawn-foster

Perryman, L. & de los Artocs, B . “Women’s Empowerment Through Openness: OER, OEP and the Sustainable Development Goals.” Open Praxis 8 (2), April – June 2016, 163 – 180. (2016). Based on survey responses from 7,700 educators from 175 countries, this paper explores the ability of Open Education Resources (OERs) to increase women’s voices in education.

http://openpraxis.org/index.php/OpenPraxis/article/view/289/206

Rice, C. et al. “Pedagogical Possibilities for Unruly Bodies.” Gender and Education . 1 – 20. (2016). Paper on the use of digital art to tell untold narratives of activism by people with disabilities.

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09540253.2016.1247947

Sandberg, S. “Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders.” TED. (2010). TEDTalk by Sheryl Sandberg based on her widely acclaimed book Lean In , on navigating the male-dominated business world as a woman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18uDutylDa4

Rossatto, C. “Global Activism and Social Transformation vis-à-vis Dominant Forms of Economic Organization: Critical Education within Afro-Brazilian and Transnational Pedagogical Praxis.” Journal for Critical Education Policy Studies 2 (3), 228 – 260. (2015). Discusses grassroots social movements across race and gender divisions and national borders to challenge notions of market competition within education.

http://www.jceps.com/archives/2347

The World’s Women 2015 . “Education.” (2015). Annually updated global data and analysis on gender disparities in educational access with indicators including primary and secondary school enrollment rates as well as illiteracy.

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/gender/chapter3/chapter3.html

UN Statistics . “Millennium Development Goal Indicators.” (2016). Updated statistics and baseline indicators on the progress made in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, with data available in national, regional and global contexts.

http://mdgs.un.org/unsd/mdg/default.aspx

This was the struggle for female education in the U.S.

Bengaluru, India girl chalkboard school education

Debate about “coeducation”—and the word itself—emerged only in the 1850s. Image: Unsplash/Nikhita S

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Between 1790 and 1870, girls in the US went from being illiterate to outperforming their male counterparts in schools
From false accusations that learning algebra would harm their reproductive capabilities to gendered classes, this is the tale of women in education

With so many young women succeeding academically, education is becoming feminized, and boys are left out. Or at least, that’s the familiar complaint today, perhaps best known from Hanna Rosin’s 2010 article for The Atlantic , “ The End of Men .” The thing is, this phenomenon goes back at least 150 years , as the education historian David Tyack and political scientist Elisabeth Hansot explain in the journal Educational Researcher .

Tyack and Hansot write that there was a huge influx of girls into public elementary schools in the first half of the nineteenth century. In 1790, US men were about twice as likely as US women to be literate. But by 1870, girls were surpassing boys in public schools. At the time, the change wasn’t the subject of much national debate. Rather, local school boards and parents quietly began including girls in common schools that had previously served only boys—a process that the education reformer Horace Mann called “smuggling in the girls.”

Have you read?

How to improve education for ethnic minority women, how education helps women to the top of the career ladder, the relationship between women’s education and fertility.

Debate about “coeducation”—and the word itself—emerged only in the 1850s. Tyack and Hansot write that this was directly related to increased mixing of children of different classes and ethnic groups in urban schools. One report of that era suggested that gender-segregated schools might be useful in shielding girls (presumably middle-class, native born white ones) from the “rude assaults” of boys from inferior social classes. These complaints had little effect. However, coeducation soon stirred up different public fears. Girls began to greatly outnumber boys in high schools, and women came to “monopolize” teaching jobs, especially in cities.

American students with a Bachelor’s Degree

This led to rising worries about women usurping men’s roles. Girls’ success in school made it hard for traditionalists to keep making their old arguments that women were intellectually incapable. Instead, they began relying on new claims that education would harm their health and reproductive capacities. For example, the physiologist Edward H. Clarke made a much-publicized argument against admitting women to Harvard based on the idea that the energy required to learn subjects like algebra would flow from other bodily systems, harming their ovaries.

Meanwhile, Tyack and Hansot write, the popular press began to warn of a “boy problem.” Pointing out that boys were more often held back a grade, and less likely to finish elementary school or continue through high school, critics claimed that the female-dominated education system was ill-suited to masculine energy. A Columbia professor wrote that it was “little short of monstrous that boys during [adolescence] receive almost all their intellectual and moral impulses from women.”

School administrators sought ways to address these complaints. But they generally saw implementing gender segregation as impractical and undesirable. Hiring more male teachers was appealing, but few men were willing to work for the low pay schools offered. Ultimately, the solution many schools settled on, in the early twentieth century, was the creation of new, gendered classes. Boys got vocational classes, while girls got home economics and secretarial courses. Separate physical education classes stressed concerns about women’s health and biology, while encouraging boys to engage in vigorous physical activity.

As we can see today, these changes failed to permanently address worries about the relative success of girls at school.

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History Resources

Arguments for educating women, 1735

A spotlight on a primary source by john peter zenger.

New-York Weekly Journal, May 19, 1735. (Gilder Lehrman Collection)

More importantly, the article declares that

Learning and Knowledge are Perfections in us, not as we are Men, but as we are reasonable Creatures, in which Order, of Beings the Female World is upon the same level with the Male. We ought to consider in this Particular, not what is the Sex, but what is the Species to which they belong.

A transcript of the excerpts is available.

New-york weekly journal , may 19, 1735. (glc07336).

I Have often wondered that Learning is not thought a proper Ingredient in the Education of a Woman of Quality or Fortune. Since they have the same improvable Minds as the male Part of the Species, why should they not be cultivated by the same Method? Why should Reason be left to it self in one of the Sexes, and be disciplined with so much Care in the other.

There are Reasons why Learning seems more adapted to the female World, than to the Male. As in the first Place, because they have more spare Time upon their Hands, and lead a more sedentary Life. Their Employments are of a domestic Nature, and not like those of the other Sex, which are often inconsistent with Study and Contemplation. . . .

A Second Reason why Women should apply themselves to useful Knowledge rather than Men, is because they have that natural Gift of Speech in greater Perfection. Since they have so excellent a Talent, such a Copia Verborum, or Plenty of Words, ’tis Pity they should not put it to some Use. If the female Tongue will be in Motion, why should it not be set to go right? Could they discourse about the Spots in the Sun, it might divert them from publishing the Faults of their Neighbours. . . .

There is another Reason why those especially who are Women of Quality, should apply themselves to Letters, because their Husbands are generally Strangers to them . . . .

Learning and Knowledge are Perfections in us, not as we are Men, but as we are reasonable Creatures, in which Order, of Beings the Female World is upon the same Level with the Male. We ought to consider in this Particular, not what is the Sex, but what is the Species to which they belong. . . .

Questions for Discussion

Read the document introduction, view the image, and read the transcript of the newspaper article. Then apply your knowledge of American history in order to answer the following questions.

From your knowledge of the period during which this article appeared, describe the social / political / economic condition of women in colonial America.
Who was John Peter Zenger? Why do you think he was he interested in republishing this article?
Explain the four arguments presented in the article for educating women.
Carefully locate each of the four arguments in the transcript. To what extent would women in America today agree with the reasons supporting each argument? Explain your answers.

A printer-friendly version is available here .

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School Education /

Essay on Women’s Education

Updated on
Dec 4, 2023

Essay on Women’s Education: As per the Right to Education Act of 2009, every Indian girl has a basic right to education. With roughly 48.5 percent of its population being female, India is the second most populous nation in the world. India is one of the nations with the fastest economic growth, yet our women’s literacy percentage is much lower than the average worldwide. In this blog, we will talk about the importance of education for women and why they should pursue it.

Table of Contents

1 Essay on Women’s Education in (100 Words)
2 Essay on Women’s Education in (150 Words)
3 Essay on Women’s Education (200 Words)

Learn about the importance of education in our society

Why is Education for Women Important?

According to UNICEF, it is said that by educating a girl will prevent them from marrying at a very early age and at the same time will help them to lead productive lives. Speaking of the advantages of educating a woman, it has many benefits.

Here are some of the benefits that every girl receives after studying:

Education for girls helps to lessen inequality in society.
Child mortality decreases when more women are literate.
The education of women has a good effect on social, economic, and health standards.
Women who succeed in higher education and develop their talents earn significantly more during their lifetimes.
Children with educated mothers are less likely to suffer from stunting or malnutrition.

Also Read: Importance of Women’s Education

Essay on Women’s Education in (100 Words)

Essay on Women’s Education in (150 Words)

Essay on Women’s Education (200 Words)

Ans: Education for women is essential to the overall growth of the nation. A lady with a good education can manage both her personal and professional lives.

Ans: The “Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan” (SSA) has focused on initiatives for females, including the opening of schools in the area to make access easier for girls and to guarantee more involvement of girls in primary education.

Ans: Savitribai Phule was also the first female teacher in Indian history.

We hope this blog provides you with all the information about the importance of education for women.

To discover more essay-writing articles, then keep reading at Leverage Edu !

Malvika Chawla

Malvika is a content writer cum news freak who comes with a strong background in Journalism and has worked with renowned news websites such as News 9 and The Financial Express to name a few. When not writing, she can be found bringing life to the canvasses by painting on them.

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Essay on Education Is the Key to Women’s Empowerment

Students are often asked to write an essay on Education Is the Key to Women’s Empowerment in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Education Is the Key to Women’s Empowerment

Introduction.

Education is a powerful tool for all individuals. For women, it is the key to empowerment, unlocking opportunities and freedoms.

The Power of Education

Education opens doors, helping women to gain valuable skills and knowledge. It enables them to participate in decision-making processes, both in their personal lives and in society.

Breaking Barriers

Educated women can challenge societal norms and overcome barriers. They can fight against discrimination and inequality, advocating for their rights and those of others.

In conclusion, education is pivotal for women’s empowerment. It provides them with the tools to shape their lives and communities positively.

250 Words Essay on Education Is the Key to Women’s Empowerment

Education is the cornerstone of women’s empowerment, providing them with the tools to navigate the world, create change, and contribute to societal progress. The impact of education on women’s lives transcends the individual, influencing families, communities, and nations.

Education equips women with knowledge and skills, fostering self-confidence and the ability to make informed decisions. It is the catalyst for social, political, and economic participation, enabling women to engage in dialogue, assert their rights, and challenge gender norms.

Economic Empowerment

Education opens doors to economic opportunities, reducing dependence and fostering financial autonomy. It is a stepping stone to better jobs, higher income, and economic stability. Women with education are more likely to invest in their children’s education, creating a cycle of empowerment.

Health and Well-being

Educated women are more likely to understand and advocate for their health rights, leading to improved health outcomes for themselves and their families. They are better equipped to make choices regarding family planning, nutrition, and healthcare.

Education also plays a crucial role in breaking down barriers that hinder women’s empowerment. It challenges patriarchal norms, combats discrimination, and promotes gender equality.

In conclusion, education is the key to women’s empowerment, providing the means to challenge societal norms, participate in economic activities, and make informed health decisions. It is not just a right, but a powerful tool for change, fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.

500 Words Essay on Education Is the Key to Women’s Empowerment

Education is a fundamental human right, a cornerstone for personal development and societal progress. It is a potent tool that empowers individuals, fosters economic growth, and promotes social change. In the context of women, education is particularly significant. It acts as the key to unlocking their potential, granting them the power to shape their lives and the world around them.

Education equips women with the knowledge, skills, and self-confidence necessary to participate fully in the development process. It broadens their horizons, provides them with better job opportunities, and helps them break free from the shackles of poverty. Education also instills in them a sense of self-worth, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health, family, and career.

Education and Economic Empowerment

Economic empowerment is a critical aspect of women’s empowerment. Education plays a significant role in this regard. An educated woman is more likely to participate in the labor force, earn a higher income, and have more control over her economic resources. She is also more likely to invest in her children’s education, setting a positive cycle of empowerment and development in motion.

Education as a Tool for Social Change

Education is not just about individual empowerment; it also has the potential to bring about profound social change. Educated women are more likely to challenge societal norms and fight against injustices. They become active participants in social, political, and cultural dialogues, advocating for gender equality and women’s rights. Education thus serves as a catalyst for societal transformation, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Despite the clear benefits of women’s education, numerous challenges persist. These include gender stereotypes, early marriages, and limited access to quality education, especially in developing countries. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from governments, civil society, and international organizations. Policies should aim at eliminating gender disparities in education, promoting girls’ enrollment and retention in schools, and improving the quality of education.

In conclusion, education is indeed the key to women’s empowerment. It provides women with the tools to navigate and influence the world around them, contributing significantly to their economic, social, and political empowerment. As we strive towards a more equitable and inclusive society, ensuring access to quality education for all women should be a priority. Only then can we unlock the immense potential that lies within each woman, leading to a more prosperous and just world.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Essay on Education Is a Child Rights
Essay on Education as Empowerment
Essay on Contribution of Technology in Education

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Introduction of Women’s Education

Nowadays, the importance of women's education is growing day by day. It is not only important to educate girls and women, but also it is necessary to provide them with basic facilities. In many countries, especially in developing countries, the literacy rate of women is low as compared to men.

The main reason behind this illiteracy rate among women is the lack of proper resources. Women's Education In India, the situation of women's education is not very good. According to the 2011 census, the literacy rate of Indian women was 64.6%. This number is quite low as compared to the literacy rate of men, which is 80.9%.

Essay on Women’s Education:

There are many reasons behind this illiteracy rate among women. The most important reason is the lack of proper resources. In India, most of the women are illiterate because they are not allowed to go for education. Society thinks that men must educate their children, especially girls, because they think that women's role is only to take care of the house and family. If she starts going to school or university, then who will look after her house? Moreover, sometimes when women send their children to schools, they are not allowed to sit in the same class as their male counterparts.

This is because of the social customs and traditions which are still prevailing in our society. The Government of India has made it mandatory for all the schools to provide education to girls till middle school. However, this is not being implemented properly because of the lack of resources. The lack of resources is not the only reason behind the illiteracy rate of women. The mindset of people is also one of the main reasons. In our society, the role of women is still considered to be limited to the house and taking care of the family. This mindset is changing slowly, but it will take some time to change completely.

India is considered to be one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Its democracy is also quite overwhelming for the entire world as the country comprises many cultures, religions, and diversities. Since independence from the Colonial Rule, India has done miracles in different phases and made significant development. This development is also due to women's education and empowerment steps taken by the Government.

The social stigma of gender bias and inequality is changing rapidly. India is becoming a superpower due to the similar contribution of both genders. By promoting education for women, India is also achieving a higher literacy rate very fast. This, on the other hand, will impressively help our country to progress in all aspects. The literacy rate of women was 8.6% after independence and has increased to 64% within 7 decades. Despite the glorifying facts, India is still wreaked with different malpractices and social stigmas in the deeper corners.

Child labour, child marriage, dowry, etc., are a few of the prime reasons for gender inequality. Women were meant to be inside the house when men gathered food. This happened thousands of years ago when humans understood the biological differences between the genders. The time has changed. We have a haven for all of us to live and prosper. Women should enjoy every right men are enjoying. One of the prime rights of women that is entitled to be is education. Education is the prime weapon to fight all such social stigmas and illogical practices.

This is the major step towards the brighter future of India. There are many reasons why women are still not given similar rights to enjoy and get educated. They are thought to be the burden of a family. Even today, female feticide is practised. It means that this gender has less value in society. We need to educate the entire society regarding the social rights of all genders. Women should get educated to understand their rights as well.

If you look a little deeper, we will find that many crimes circle women, such as trafficking, rape, feticide, murder, dowry, etc. Gender-based discrimination is the prime reason behind such crimes. Until and unless both genders are considered to be equal, these crimes will carry on as usual. Women should be educated first. This is the stepping stone to such a beautiful future.

Even in the 21st century, many families feel reluctant to send their girls children to pursue schooling and higher studies. One of the prime reasons behind such malicious thought is economic disparity. Many families are unable to send their children to schools. When it comes to gender, they choose their sons and could not afford education for girl children.

There are many reforms and acts that the Government has amended to patronize women's education. Aids are distributed, and education is almost made free for children in rural areas so that women can get proper education to create a foundation. Their future is not restricted between the four walls of a house. Our society needs to believe that women are no less than men. They can pursue their dreams and compete with men in all phases.

We need to promote the benefits of women's education. Major changes are made in bills to encourage women's education. Strict actions are taken, and crimes related to gender should be penalized to stop gender discrimination. We should also teach our children that all genders are equal and should be treated accordingly. It is when women are educated, they will be empowered to make excellent decisions and will contribute to the economic growth of our country.

There are Many Reasons behind the Importance of Women Education. Some of these Reasons are as Follows:

1. Women education is important for the development of a country. A country can only develop if its women are educated.

2. Educated women can play an important role in the development of their families.

3. Educated women are less likely to get married at an early age.

4. Educated women can contribute to the economic development of their countries.

5. Women education is necessary for the empowerment of women.

6. Educated women can raise awareness about various social issues.

7. Educated women can act as role models for the younger generation.

Conclusion:

Women education is very important for the development of a country. It is necessary to provide girls and women with proper resources so that they can get educated. Girls and women have the potential to contribute to the economic development of their countries. They can also play an important role in the development of their families. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to women education.

FAQs on Women Education in India Essay

1.What are the benefits of women getting educated?

The primary benefit is that women will get proper education to develop skills. They will be able to earn better than they were doing before. Women can contribute to shaping an improved society for themselves and their coming generations too. The economic growth of the country will also be significantly enhanced after educating women. If women are educated, they can be successful as a man in any field in their life because they are born to achieve something in their life, so if they are educated, it will help them for their good career. Women will be able to get proper education, skills development, financial independence, etc. They can also contribute well towards shaping an improved society for themselves and future generations too. The economic growth of the country will significantly improve after educating women.

2.How does education help to stop crimes against women?

Education can help reduce crimes against women by teaching boys and girls about the importance of gender equality from a young age. Girls who are educated are more likely to be aware of their rights and be able to defend themselves against violence and abuse. Education also teaches critical thinking and provides children with tools to challenge ideas and practices that discriminate against women. Education can empower girls, increase their leadership skills and make them aware of laws protecting their rights which will help reduce crimes against women.

3.How do we teach children that genders are equal?

We can teach children that genders are equal by modelling behaviour that values both boys and girls equally. We can also talk to our children about the importance of equality and why it is important. We can encourage our children to stand up for what they believe in and explain the consequences of gender discrimination to them. Women should be allowed to have an education because it is their right, and it will help to stop the crime against women. Women will also become aware of their rights which will help to stop crimes against women.

4.How does women's education contribute to the economic growth of a country?

Women's education contributes to the economic growth of a country by allowing them access to jobs that are more likely to be located in urban areas where opportunities are often greater. Educating women also allows them to take on more responsible positions within the workforce, which can result in increased productivity and innovation. When women can earn an income, they are often able to reinvest a large portion of it back into their families and communities, which can help spur economic growth.

5.How does Government help to promote women's education?

The Government is trying hard to encourage women's education by providing aids like scholarships, free books, uniforms, and hostels for girl students. The Government has also started several schemes to encourage girls' education, such as the Girl Child Protection Scheme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana, etc. Despite all these efforts, however, the dropout rate of girl students is still high. Girls are often forced to marry early and leave their education midway. So, more efforts are required from the Government for women's education promotion.

Essay on Women Education in India for Students and Children

500 words essay on women education in india.

Our India is a developing country. Moreover, it is one of the largest democracies. Since the day of Independence , our country has remarkable development in all the fields. And this was all possible because of the increase in education for all the genders. The gender equality took the country to new heights.

Furthermore, the involvement of women in all sectors has increased India’s growth rate. Now women are taking over every sector of society. That, in turn, is helping to expand our countries’ literacy rate.

Without any denial, we can say that women’s education is a major step toward success. Furthermore, from the day of the independence of women’s literacy rate is increasing. From 8.6% it is now at 64%. The success rate of the country in women’s literacy is quite high. But still, there are some reasons women are not able to emerge in a proper manner.

Setbacks of the Women Education System

Women’s literacy rate is increasing day by day but still due to some reasons the growth is hampering. The main reason for this is a crime against women. Various crimes against women take place every day. Because of which women are not able to roam freely on the roads.

Crimes like Rape, women trafficking, murders, abortion of a girl child are a shame for the country. Furthermore, these crimes are prevalent, though being us in the 21st Century. This is a huge setback for the growth of our country.

Moreover, in some rural areas like small villages, girls are not allowed to go to school. They are confined at home to take care of the house. Because the people there still consider that women are only made to take care of the house by staying back at home. Also, gender discrimination and male superiority are still common.

Furthermore one of the main reasons for the reduced women literacy rate is the population of women in the entire country. In a recent survey, for 1000 men there were only 936 women. This represents the scarcity of female gender in our society. However, there are many steps that the government is taking to promote women’s education.

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How can we Promote Women’s Education?

The promotion of women’s education should begin from the rural areas. Awareness to educate a female child in different villages should take place. Moreover, diverting the mindset of the parents towards the education of women.

Furthermore, various schools should get constructed in villages. So that the female child may feel safe and have to travel for shorter distances. Proper security for the women should be there so that the women may not hesitate in coming out of their houses.

Also, strict actions and punishment should be there for any crime against woman. So that the criminals may think of committing any crime.

In the past years, the government passed a major bill. It was to make the abortion of the female child a criminal act. This helped a lot in increasing the birt rate of the female child. Moreover various campaigns like “ Beti Bachao Beti Padhao ” took place. To promote women’s empowerment. This further changed the mindset of the people.

FAQs on Women Education in India

Q1. Why is Women’s Education important in India?

A1. Women’s Education is important because it could change the face of the country. Moreover to increase the literacy rate of the country.

Q2. What are the setbacks of women’s education?

A2. The setbacks of women’s education are gender discrimination, a crime against women. In rural areas, women are not sent to school because of the family’s ancient cultures. Also abandoning of the female child is also a major reason.

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The Education Of Women Daniel Defoe

Education has been a topic of great interest throughout history. Women in particular have been subjected to many restrictions and limitations when it comes to education. In ancient times, women were not even allowed to receive an education at all. Even during the height of the Greek and Roman empires, women were largely excluded from educational opportunities.

This changed somewhat during the medieval period, when some women began to receive instruction in religious studies and other topics. However, it was not until the Renaissance that women began to gain significant ground in the realm of education.

During the Renaissance, certain women began to emerge as highly educated individuals. One such woman was Isabella d’Este, who was born into a noble family in Italy and received an excellent education. She went on to become a well-known patron of the arts and an important figure in Renaissance society.

Another example is the French writer Christine de Pizan, who was one of the first women to produce works of literature in the vernacular language. Education among women began to spread during this time, though it remained largely confined to the upper classes.

The situation changed dramatically during the Enlightenment, when education became more widely available and emphasis was placed on reason and individualism. This led to a greater push for educational opportunities for women, who were seen as capable of Reason just like men. One important figure in this movement was Mary Wollstonecraft, an English writer who argued forcefully for equal education for women and girls. Education began to spread more evenly during this period, though it still lagged behind that of men.

The situation continued to improve throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, as women increasingly fought for and gained access to educational opportunities. In recent years, girls’ education has become a major focus of international development efforts, as it is seen as critical to empowering women and achieving gender equality. Education is continuing to evolve, and there is no doubt that women will play an even more important role in shaping its future.

In “The Education of Women,” Daniel Defoe argued that women’s education should be more valued than it was at the time. England in the early 1700s was mostly Christian, so Defoe likely targeted men and other Christians in his essay. By advocating for better treatment of women according to God’s will, Defoe could gain credibility and a moral high ground with readers.

He writes “The Education of Women” not only because he believes that women should be educated but also because he assumes that if women were given the opportunity to be educated then they could be better wives, mothers and citizens.

Defoe opens his essay by stating that “the Education of Women” is more necessary than that of Men because they are the Education of the next Generation. He believes that if women are not educated then they will not be able to properly educate their children. Defoe believes that it is Women who have the greatest influence over their children and that if they are not educated then the next generation will be at a disadvantage.

He goes on to say that Women are capable of being as intelligent as Men, but they are not given the same opportunities to develop their intelligence. He argues that Women should be given the same educational opportunities as Men so that they can reach their full potential.

Though his reasoning for why women needed an education may not be well-founded, he effectively captures his reader’s attention from the beginning by referencing God throughout the essay. By starting each sentence with his opinion then referring to God in the next breath, he keeps His audience engaged until the very end.

He argues that there are two types of education, the first being “ornamental” and the second being “useful.” He believes that women should only be given the latter type of education as it would make them more virtuous. Education, at this time, was very much a male-dominated institution and Wollstonecraft is adamant that women are just as capable as men when it comes to learning.

She goes on to say that if women are not given an opportunity to be educated then they will be nothing more than pretty objects for men to look at. This is a view that would have been quite controversial at the time but one that Wollstonecraft believed strongly in.

In order for women to be educated properly, Wollstonecraft believes that they need to be taught in a way that is suited to their nature. She argues that the current education system does not do this and instead tries to force women into conformity.

She also belief that once women are educated, they will be better able to teach their children and instil good values in them. This is something that she felt was very important as she believed that it would help to create a better society overall.

Wollstonecraft’s essay is a stirring defence of the importance of educating women. She highlights the many ways in which such an education would benefit both women and society as a whole. Though her views may have been controversial at the time, they are certainly very thought-provoking and offer an interesting perspective on the role of women in society.

In this essay, Defoe included the following rhetorical sentence: “the soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond, and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear.” His analogy is that if you don’t polish the diamond (women and educating them), then they will never shine.

Education is important for both genders but it has been seen as more important for boys/men. In the past, women were not given the same educational opportunities as men and this has led to a number of inequalities between the sexes.

Education is a key factor in ensuring that women are able to participate fully in society and the economy. Women with higher levels of education often have better employment prospects and earn higher incomes. They are also less likely to experience violence, and more likely to have healthier children.

Despite the clear benefits of education for women, there remains a significant gender gap in many parts of the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, only around 40% of women are literate, compared to around two-thirds of men. In South Asia, the figure is just over half for women, compared to three-quarters of men.

There are a number of reasons for this gender disparity in education. One is that girls and women often face discrimination within the education system. They may be discouraged from attending school, or may be segregated into lower-quality schools with fewer resources. They may also be subject to gender-based violence, both within and outside of school.

In conclusion, Defoe argues that Women’s Education is not only necessary for the good of society but also for the good of the individual woman. He believes that if women are given the opportunity to be educated then they will be able to contribute more to society and lead happier lives. Education, at this time, was very much a male-dominated institution and Wollstonecraft is adamant that women are just as capable as men when it comes to learning. Though her views may have been controversial at the time, she makes a strong case for the importance of educating women.

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Female Education: Short Essay (200 Words)

In a country like India , female education is being appreciated day by day. But a few years ago, the situation was not like now. People are changing and they are being smart and educated. Educated people can realize the importance of girl’s education.

But there are still a large number of girls are illiterate and they are not able to get an education. We need to stand for them and make education easy for every single girl in the world. An educated girl or women could do so many things that others can’t.

We can see that they are smarter than others. They raise their kids better and in a proper way. They study and learn things that help them to lead a better life. We all need to realize that and let our girls be educated.

Our country is growing according to a better economy. And females have a big share of this economy. Educated females are participating in everywhere. And that will help us to change our country soon.

Female Education: Essay (300 Words)

Introduction: Female education is a really important term right now for the entire world. From the very beginning, people used to neglect female education, as a result, women are so much behind according to research. Few first world countries are done really amazing in this, but still, now there are problems. Here, in this essay, we will take look at ‘female education in Bangladesh and others’.

Napoleon said, ‘give me an educated mother, I will give you an educated nation’. Can you realize the quote? An educated mother can create an educated nation. If our wives and our sisters won’t get proper education then how can we expect that our next generation will be educated? That’s why we need to put some extra effort into ‘Female Education’.

Female Education in Bangladesh: Bangladesh is a growing country with a fair amount of female education ratio. But a few years earlier, girls were really rare in school and colleges. But right now, in some boards, girls are doing far better than boys. So we can realize the evolution of education among female in Bangladesh.

Economically Bangladesh is a growing country. Females also have a great share of that. Due to the increase in their education ration, they are participating everywhere. They are doing a corporate job and also starting their own businesses. That is really good news for any country. They are working in every sector.

Importance of Female Education: There is a huge importance of female education. We need to emphasize that. Women are a vital part of us. We can’t arrange a better society or a better nation without them. They should be our partner in the journey. And we, of course, appreciate educated and well-learned partner with us. Whatever we do, they are helping us to complete that.

Conclusion: Female education is really necessary for every woman in this world. We should focus on that.

Female Education: Essay (500 Words)

Introduction: The world is growing and being special day by day. But in every sector, girls are not participating equally with boys. What’s the main reason behind this? I think of female education. Our life starts with education and if we can pursue education properly we can go really long in our life.

And if we can’t, we may not be able to go long. But in this world, lots of females are still away from education. Sometimes they leave study after a certain age. We need to work on that and make awareness among people. That will help us to understand the importance of female education.

Controversy: There are huge controversies about education for a girl. Some people present really funny and weak logic to prevent a girl’s education. But we should stand against them and let our girls to be educated. We can’t imagine a good nation without educated girls.

If we look at history, there are lots of female scholars who have done really well for their country. We have ‘Begum Rokeya’, she has started a revolution in India and Bangladesh which let girls start studying. We always need to stay away from the controversies and try to make our girl’s educated.

Female Education Advantages: There are lots of advantages of female education. Our whole society can be benefited from the process. Girls are working with boys outside nowadays; if they don’t get the proper education they won’t get a better job.

That’s why they need to pay attention to education. We also need to ensure their study. An educated mother can build an educated family. People won’t get proper good behaviour and manners without a good education.

Importance of an Educated Wife: In your family, of course, you don’t want an illiterate wife. You want an educated girl as your wife. But why, because the future of your kids depends on that. If she is educated, there is a high chance for your kids to be educated. So there is really high importance of educated wife in a family.

Equality in Education: We should bring equality in the education system all across the world. In this world, there are still lots of people don’t believe in equality among boys and girls. But being honest, they are the same. We need to treat the same and make them perfect for each other. If we don’t keep the equality, that will hurt them and don’t let them grow properly.

Conclusion: Female education essay is a really important one. We all can make awareness to our area and let people realize the importance of education for their girls. If we all start trying, then there will be a change and this change will change the world. We all can change the world together.

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17 episodes

Building Belief with Abby Skeans Abby Skeans

5.0 • 2 Ratings
APR 8, 2024

Trusting Yourself: You Already Know The Answers You Seek

Have you ever stood at the crossroads of a crucial decision, echoing the words, "I just don't know what to do"? You're not alone. This universal sentiment rings true for many of us, more times than we can count. But here's a revelation – you often have the answers you're searching for; they're woven into the very fabric of your being, waiting to be acknowledged. The challenge isn't in seeking new advice but in recognizing and trusting the wisdom that resides within you. In this episode, we delve deep into the essence of self-trust. We explore the transformative power of betting on yourself and embracing the profound truth that you are, without a doubt, the most reliable advisor you'll ever know. Through insightful discussions and practical advice, we'll guide you on a journey to unlock your inner wisdom, empowering you to navigate life's decisions with confidence and clarity. Join us as we embark on this journey of self-discovery. Learn why it's not just about making choices, but about understanding the unparalleled value of trusting your instincts and the incredible insights you hold within. It's time to believe in yourself, fully and unconditionally. After all, the best guidance you can ever receive is from the person who knows you best – you. This season is sponsored by the Spiritual Motherhood Project at the Fetzer Institute. Links: Be the first to get BIG news, secret drops & all the details from my heart to your inbox. . . . . For additional thoughts and tools, join the Belief Statements journal on ⁠Substack⁠. . . . . Join the Building Belief community by subscribing to RITUAL. . . . . Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbyskeans/ Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigailskeans/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/buildingbelief/message

APR 1, 2024

Trailer: Building Belief with Abby Skeans

Welcome to "Building Belief," where we are committed to women breaking free from limiting beliefs and stepping into their full potential. Hosted by social entrepreneur Abby Skeans, this transformative series is dedicated to exploring the profound impact of one's internal beliefs on personal growth and societal change. Abby's own journey from darkness to light, overcoming depression, trauma, and abuse, ignited her quest to uncover life-altering modalities that liberated her from deep-seated limiting beliefs. Now, she invites you to join her on a journey of discovery and empowerment. In each episode of "Building Belief," Abby engages in candid and inspiring conversations with remarkable women who have not only conquered their own inner demons but have also catalyzed change in the lives of others. From sharing stories of triumph over adversity to revealing the secrets behind cultivating unshakeable self-belief, these discussions offer invaluable insights and actionable strategies for personal transformation. Together with her guests, Abby shares practical tools and transformative resources aimed at equipping women with the courage and confidence to embrace their true selves. Whether it's through daily rituals, resilience-building techniques, or profound moments of introspection, listeners will be supported to embrace the truth of who they already are. "Building Belief" isn't just a podcast; it's a movement. It's a platform for women to harness their innate potential and channel their self-belief into tangible actions that drive positive change in the world. From launching meaningful projects to championing innovative ideas and spearheading impactful organizations, the possibilities are endless when women recognize and embrace their inherent worth. Join us on "Building Belief" and become part of a community of women committed to healing, empowerment, and creativity. Together, we'll challenge the status quo, break down barriers, and create a world where every woman is free. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/buildingbelief/message

NOV 7, 2023

YOU ALREADY ARE: An Essay on Believing In Yourself

For this final episode, I wanted to finish where we started, with the idea of trusting ourselves. The very first episode that I released was called “you already know” and was based on an essay that I penned years ago. It has been a lesson that I have to learn continually, and come back to often. The idea that I am the most credible and trustworthy person when it comes to steering my life and purpose has been a hard truth to sink into. The message that I want to leave you with at the end of Season 1 and at the end of 2023 is this: you already are. Let that sink deep into your soul. Today, this month, this year. Let it be your mantra as you close this year and step into the next. . . . . For access to my weekly essays, join my ⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠. . . . . Grab your daily reminder of truth over at the ⁠⁠⁠Belief Statements⁠⁠⁠ collection. . . . . Follow me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ Drop me a note on my ⁠⁠website⁠. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/buildingbelief/message

OCT 24, 2023

Pieces of Me: How Identity Impacts Self-Belief (Part II)

Tune into Part II of my conversation with one of my best friends, ⁠Branden Polk⁠, to unpack the issue of identity. It took me decades to learn about the concept of "parts of self" and how we can not only access but integrate a full range of emotions into our identity. Branden draws from his decades of experience as a life coach, minister, and professional counselor to help us more fully understand how our self-belief is linked to our identity. Acknowledging, showing compassion and integrating all of the parts of who we are, silences shame and unleashes a belief that can overcome self-doubt. Listen in as two friends reflect on how they've watched and helped one another do that over the last decade, and where we aspire for more integration in society to have a thriving "beloved community." This special two-part conversation is equal parts old friends sharing personal and vulnerable stories of growth as well as truthful admissions and hard-gained wisdom acquired along the way. I hope this discussion leaves you with a greater understanding of self, and how valuable all of you is to all of us. . . . . Follow Rev. Branden Polk, MSW on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠. To learn more about Branden's coaching practice, and to explore whether it might be of service to you, visit: ⁠Arrowhead Advising⁠. . . . . For a deeper reflection on this conversation, join my ⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠. . . . . Grab your daily reminder of truth over at the ⁠⁠⁠Belief Statements⁠⁠⁠ collection. Use Branden10 through the end of October 2023 for 10% off site-wide as a way to honor Branden's pick, the Enough Collection. . . . . Follow me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠. Follow me on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠. Follow me on ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠. Drop me a note on my ⁠⁠website⁠⁠. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/buildingbelief/message

OCT 16, 2023

Branden Polk: Pieces of Me - How Identity Impacts Self-Belief (Part I)

In this episode, I sit down with one of my best friends, Branden Polk, to unpack the issue of identity. It took me decades to learn about the concept of "parts of self" and how we can not only access but integrate a full range of emotions into our identity. Branden draws from his decades of experience as a life coach, minister, and professional counselor to help us more fully understand how our self-belief is linked to our identity. Acknowledging, showing compassion and integrating all of the parts of who we are, silences shame and unleashes a belief that can overcome self-doubt. Listen in as two friends reflect on how they've watched and helped one another do that over the last decade, and where we aspire for more integration in society to have a thriving "beloved community." This special two-part conversation is equal parts old friends sharing personal and vulnerable stories of growth as well as truthful admissions and hard-gained wisdom acquired along the way. I hope this discussion leaves you with a greater understanding of self, and how valuable all of you is to all of us. . . . . Follow Rev. Branden Polk, MSW on Instagram and ⁠LinkedIn. To learn more about Branden's coaching practice, and to explore whether it might be of service to you, visit: Arrowhead Advising. . . . . For a deeper reflection on this conversation, join my ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠. . . . . Grab your daily reminder of truth over at the ⁠⁠Belief Statements⁠⁠ collection. Use Branden10 through the end of October 2023 for 10% off site-wide as a way to honor Branden's pick, the Enough Collection. . . . . Follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠. Follow me on ⁠LinkedIn⁠. Follow me on ⁠Threads⁠. Drop me a note on my ⁠website⁠. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/buildingbelief/message

OCT 10, 2023

Depression: What I Wish I Would Have Known

In many ways, this episode was foundation for all others before it -- the inspiration for this entire podcast. And, I almost didn't record it. Not because the story isn't important; quite the opposite. But because telling such a deeply personal story took courage that it feels like I've spent years summoning. In this episode, I share my personal struggle with depression. It has lasted more than twenty years, and has brought with it shame, hopelessness, and layers of pain. However, in early 2022, I learned a valuable insight that changed my perspective on my mental and emotional health and wellbeing. I unpack this learning and it's catalytic effect on who I am today as a means of sharing hope and knowledge with you. If you, or someone you know, struggles with anxiety or depression, I hope you'll share this episode with them. If it touches one life, it will have done its job. Above all. I want to say out loud that “you’re not alone.” Please reach out anytime. The world not only wants you, it needs your light, desperately. . . . . For access to my weekly essays, join my ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠. . . . . Grab your daily reminder of truth over at the ⁠⁠Belief Statements⁠⁠ collection. . . . . Follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠ and LinkedIn⁠ Drop me a note on my ⁠website⁠. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/buildingbelief/message

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The Supreme Court Got It Wrong: Abortion Is Not Settled Law

In an black-and-white photo illustration, nine abortion pills are arranged on a grid.

By Melissa Murray and Kate Shaw

Ms. Murray is a law professor at New York University. Ms. Shaw is a contributing Opinion writer.

In his majority opinion in the case overturning Roe v. Wade, Justice Samuel Alito insisted that the high court was finally settling the vexed abortion debate by returning the “authority to regulate abortion” to the “people and their elected representatives.”

Despite these assurances, less than two years after Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, abortion is back at the Supreme Court. In the next month, the justices will hear arguments in two high-stakes cases that may shape the future of access to medication abortion and to lifesaving care for pregnancy emergencies. These cases make clear that Dobbs did not settle the question of abortion in America — instead, it generated a new slate of questions. One of those questions involves the interaction of existing legal rules with the concept of fetal personhood — the view, held by many in the anti-abortion movement, that a fetus is a person entitled to the same rights and protections as any other person.

The first case , scheduled for argument on Tuesday, F.D.A. v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, is a challenge to the Food and Drug Administration’s protocols for approving and regulating mifepristone, one of the two drugs used for medication abortions. An anti-abortion physicians’ group argues that the F.D.A. acted unlawfully when it relaxed existing restrictions on the use and distribution of mifepristone in 2016 and 2021. In 2016, the agency implemented changes that allowed the use of mifepristone up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, rather than seven; reduced the number of required in-person visits for dispensing the drug from three to one; and allowed the drug to be prescribed by individuals like nurse practitioners. In 2021, it eliminated the in-person visit requirement, clearing the way for the drug to be dispensed by mail. The physicians’ group has urged the court to throw out those regulations and reinstate the previous, more restrictive regulations surrounding the drug — a ruling that could affect access to the drug in every state, regardless of the state’s abortion politics.

The second case, scheduled for argument on April 24, involves the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (known by doctors and health policymakers as EMTALA ), which requires federally funded hospitals to provide patients, including pregnant patients, with stabilizing care or transfer to a hospital that can provide such care. At issue is the law’s interaction with state laws that severely restrict abortion, like an Idaho law that bans abortion except in cases of rape or incest and circumstances where abortion is “necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman.”

Although the Idaho law limits the provision of abortion care to circumstances where death is imminent, the federal government argues that under EMTALA and basic principles of federal supremacy, pregnant patients experiencing emergencies at federally funded hospitals in Idaho are entitled to abortion care, even if they are not in danger of imminent death.

These cases may be framed in the technical jargon of administrative law and federal pre-emption doctrine, but both cases involve incredibly high-stakes issues for the lives and health of pregnant persons — and offer the court an opportunity to shape the landscape of abortion access in the post-Roe era.

These two cases may also give the court a chance to seed new ground for fetal personhood. Woven throughout both cases are arguments that gesture toward the view that a fetus is a person.

If that is the case, the legal rules that would typically hold sway in these cases might not apply. If these questions must account for the rights and entitlements of the fetus, the entire calculus is upended.

In this new scenario, the issue is not simply whether EMTALA’s protections for pregnant patients pre-empt Idaho’s abortion ban, but rather which set of interests — the patient’s or the fetus’s — should be prioritized in the contest between state and federal law. Likewise, the analysis of F.D.A. regulatory protocols is entirely different if one of the arguments is that the drug to be regulated may be used to end a life.

Neither case presents the justices with a clear opportunity to endorse the notion of fetal personhood — but such claims are lurking beneath the surface. The Idaho abortion ban is called the Defense of Life Act, and in its first bill introduced in 2024, the Idaho Legislature proposed replacing the term “fetus” with “preborn child” in existing Idaho law. In its briefs before the court, Idaho continues to beat the drum of fetal personhood, insisting that EMTALA protects the unborn — rather than pregnant women who need abortions during health emergencies.

According to the state, nothing in EMTALA imposes an obligation to provide stabilizing abortion care for pregnant women. Rather, the law “actually requires stabilizing treatment for the unborn children of pregnant women.” In the mifepristone case, advocates referred to fetuses as “unborn children,” while the district judge in Texas who invalidated F.D.A. approval of the drug described it as one that “starves the unborn human until death.”

Fetal personhood language is in ascent throughout the country. In a recent decision , the Alabama Supreme Court allowed a wrongful-death suit for the destruction of frozen embryos intended for in vitro fertilization, or I.V.F. — embryos that the court characterized as “extrauterine children.”

Less discussed but as worrisome is a recent oral argument at the Florida Supreme Court concerning a proposed ballot initiative intended to enshrine a right to reproductive freedom in the state’s Constitution. In considering the proposed initiative, the chief justice of the state Supreme Court repeatedly peppered Nathan Forrester, the senior deputy solicitor general who was representing the state, with questions about whether the state recognized the fetus as a person under the Florida Constitution. The point was plain: If the fetus was a person, then the proposed ballot initiative, and its protections for reproductive rights, would change the fetus’s rights under the law, raising constitutional questions.

As these cases make clear, the drive toward fetal personhood goes beyond simply recasting abortion as homicide. If the fetus is a person, any act that involves reproduction may implicate fetal rights. Fetal personhood thus has strong potential to raise questions about access to abortion, contraception and various forms of assisted reproductive technology, including I.V.F.

In response to the shifting landscape of reproductive rights, President Biden has pledged to “restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land.” Roe and its successor, Planned Parenthood v. Casey, were far from perfect; they afforded states significant leeway to impose onerous restrictions on abortion, making meaningful access an empty promise for many women and families of limited means. But the two decisions reflected a constitutional vision that, at least in theory, protected the liberty to make certain intimate choices — including choices surrounding if, when and how to become a parent.

Under the logic of Roe and Casey, the enforceability of EMTALA, the F.D.A.’s power to regulate mifepristone and access to I.V.F. weren’t in question. But in the post-Dobbs landscape, all bets are off. We no longer live in a world in which a shared conception of constitutional liberty makes a ban on I.V.F. or certain forms of contraception beyond the pale.

Melissa Murray, a law professor at New York University and a host of the Supreme Court podcast “ Strict Scrutiny ,” is a co-author of “ The Trump Indictments : The Historic Charging Documents With Commentary.”

Kate Shaw is a contributing Opinion writer, a professor of law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and a host of the Supreme Court podcast “Strict Scrutiny.” She served as a law clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens and Judge Richard Posner.

Why we need to stop telling women to ‘just get married’

Marriage is having a moment in American discourse. TikTok videos extol the virtues of being a stay-at-home wife and mother who also feeds chickens, makes sourdough bread and has five children.

Magazines and newspapers are filled with articles and columns exhorting people to just suck it up and marry . Or even offer up marriage as the solution to the inequality in our nation . And these stories are focused on women, because it’s young women who are more likely to opt out of marriage and it’s older women who are divorcing their husbands .

The “just get married” discourse feels like a tightening rope around women who are already seeing their rights reversed through the rollback of Roe.

Recently, an essay published in New York Magazine’s The Cut even argued for marriage as a feminist reclamation. Marriage, as the author described it, is a protectorate, wherein she is taken care of and pampered. It truly sounds nice given the level of exhaustion American women are experiencing, after carrying the weight of cognitive and domestic labor , and doing the work of the social safety net . But it’s worth pointing out that gilded cages are still cages.

The “just get married” discourse feels like a tightening rope around women who are already seeing their rights reversed through the rollback of Roe. Women who saw the vast lack of a social safety net during the pandemic and saw America take back whatever advances we made that helped families, while rolling out the war machine. Women are dying because we don’t have choices. Still, the answer that is shouted back at us is “just marry.”

But marriage has never been a safe space for women. And any argument that marriage provides comfort and equality under the benevolent protectorship of a husband isn’t borne out by the history of marriage — or the reality of it.

Even now, with all of its supposed advantages, marriage can be a trap for women, who are more likely than men to experience physical and emotional abuse in marriage. And nearly 20% of marriages involve violence . In 2021, 34% of female murder victims were killed by their intimate partner, compared to only 6% of male murder victims.

Marriage as an institution has been more about keeping some people out and locking others in. Founded on the laws of coverture, historically in marriage a woman’s identity was subsumed under her husband. But, of course, this relative safety of the marital relationship was only afforded to wealthy women. Poor people, the enslaved, queer or disabled people have been historically excluded from the benefits of marriage. Enslaved women , often forced into marriage, only kept those relationships at the whims of their enslavers, and were subject to sexual and racial violence as a result. Today, mass incarceration that targets Black men makes keeping a marriage together harder . Additionally, staying together as a family becomes difficult when the child welfare system targets Black families . And for centuries, until 1967, when the Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court ruling legalized interracial marriage, marriage was a means of policing racial purity. Also, it wasn’t until 2014, when the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges, that gay marriage was made equal in the United States. People who are disabled were excluded from marriage because historically they were often institutionalized. Today, people who are disabled are often barred from the institution of marriage because they can lose access to life-saving benefits .

And you don’t have to look too far back in American history to see how wives were viewed under the law. It wasn’t until 1993 that marital rape was finally outlawed in all 50 states.

In response to these statistics, critics often accuse women of simply choosing to marry the wrong person. As if you can choose your way out of systemic inequality and an institution that was founded on the fundamental loss of personhood. In sum, marriage never has been, nor ever will be, a form of freedom.

It’s tempting, in a world beleaguered by a pandemic, where women still earn less than men, and where there is no affordable childcare, to see marriage as an appealing way of opting out of the ceaseless grind of capitalism. Better to work for a man who loves you rather than "the man," the logic goes. But it’s an upsetting logic, presuming that marriage is still the work of a woman, rather than a partnership of equals. Plus, that logic doesn’t parse. All it does is economically isolate women. A wife is far more likely to be abused by her husband than a stranger, and stay-at-home moms are more likely to be depressed and anxious .

Freedom isn’t found under the guardianship of a marriage, it’s found when we are seen as equal partners and given equal opportunities to earn money and control our bodies and our destinies.

In “The Second Sex,” Simone de Beauvoir argued that marriage is premised on a man treating a woman as a person enslaved while making her feel like a queen. She also notes, “It is more comfortable to endure blind bondage than to work for one’s liberation; the dead, too, are better suited to the earth than the living.” Beauvoir’s words feel like a face slap from the past, reminding modern women how long we’ve been struggling to be free from the unpaid labor of marriage and how much farther we have to go. Freedom isn’t found under the guardianship of a marriage, it’s found when we are seen as equal partners and given equal opportunities to earn money and control our bodies and our destinies.

Partnership, when executed with mutual respect, can be amazing. But marriage as an institution has never been about a woman’s freedom. And it won’t be until we have full equality.

Lyz Lenz is the author of the book "This American Ex-Wife." She lives in Iowa and writes the newsletter “Men Yell at Me.”

Think again about what's meant by 'merit' in gender-balance law repeal

Without objective measures, merit is a social construct that often keeps the privileged and those like them in power.

Robert Leonard writes at Deep Midwest, Politics and Culture, and has bylines in the Des Moines Register, the Iowa Capital Dispatch, the New York Times, TIME, USA Today, and many more publications.

If you read a guest essay in the Des Moines Register last Thursday, you might think that Charles Hurley with The Family Leader is a civil rights hero. Not so fast. Hurley is no such hero — in fact, the efforts of Hurley and The Family Leader have been steadfast in their desire to deny LGBTQ+ Iowans of their civil rights, including the right to marry , and the recently passed “ religious freedom ” law that opponents believe is a license to discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community and more. The group's opposition to safe, legal abortion for women is also seen as a civil rights issue by many.

The essay is titled “Iowa gender balance law’s repeal ends unconsitutional discrimination in public service.” The hagiography was written by Jeffrey Jennings and Kileen Lindgren with the law firm that represented Hurley when he sued the state because he wasn’t appointed to the Judicial Nominating Committee because of his gender. Of course, he did what many of the privileged class do when they don’t get they want: They sue.

Iowa's gender balance law was put into effect in the 1980s to increase the number of women on state commissions and boards and was made effective for local governments in 2009. There were no penalties for non-compliance, but it worked . Women make up about 48% of the representatives on state boards and commissions.

The authors make the case that “merit” should be the main consideration in making appointments as if “merit” is something that can be objectively measured rather than the abstract social construct it is. To me, Hurley seems well qualified for the Judicial Nominating Committee position he wanted, but the authors suggest that part of his qualifications include that he “is a devoted father and grandfather who spent the past 40 years as an attorney, public representative, and active church member.” What about a brilliant, young rockstar woman attorney who is a single mom who is Hindu? Is she less qualified? I think not. Sorry to say, but as one, being a grandfather is a pretty weak qualification to be on a board or commission.

Besides, as a retired reporter, I’ve covered city council meetings and board of supervisors meetings in seven counties for nearly 20 years, and I’ve been in on the deliberations where a Black man or a white woman has been the most qualified applicant for the job, yet they aren’t hired because “they aren’t right for the community.” A pastor friend tells me the same thing happens across the state in churches.

And there’s oodles of hypocrisy here. Look at the board of directors of The Family Leader, where their eight-member board has only one woman. Hurley and the rest of the leadership might try to convince us that all those old white guys and one woman gained their positions on the board solely on “merit,” but I doubt we would believe them.

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That Viral Essay Wasn’t About Age Gaps. It Was About Marrying Rich.

But both tactics are flawed if you want to have any hope of becoming yourself..

Women are wisest, a viral essay in New York magazine’s the Cut argues , to maximize their most valuable cultural assets— youth and beauty—and marry older men when they’re still very young. Doing so, 27-year-old writer Grazie Sophia Christie writes, opens up a life of ease, and gets women off of a male-defined timeline that has our professional and reproductive lives crashing irreconcilably into each other. Sure, she says, there are concessions, like one’s freedom and entire independent identity. But those are small gives in comparison to a life in which a person has no adult responsibilities, including the responsibility to become oneself.

This is all framed as rational, perhaps even feminist advice, a way for women to quit playing by men’s rules and to reject exploitative capitalist demands—a choice the writer argues is the most obviously intelligent one. That other Harvard undergraduates did not busy themselves trying to attract wealthy or soon-to-be-wealthy men seems to flummox her (taking her “high breasts, most of my eggs, plausible deniability when it came to purity, a flush ponytail, a pep in my step that had yet to run out” to the Harvard Business School library, “I could not understand why my female classmates did not join me, given their intelligence”). But it’s nothing more than a recycling of some of the oldest advice around: For women to mold themselves around more-powerful men, to never grow into independent adults, and to find happiness in a state of perpetual pre-adolescence, submission, and dependence. These are odd choices for an aspiring writer (one wonders what, exactly, a girl who never wants to grow up and has no idea who she is beyond what a man has made her into could possibly have to write about). And it’s bad advice for most human beings, at least if what most human beings seek are meaningful and happy lives.

But this is not an essay about the benefits of younger women marrying older men. It is an essay about the benefits of younger women marrying rich men. Most of the purported upsides—a paid-for apartment, paid-for vacations, lives split between Miami and London—are less about her husband’s age than his wealth. Every 20-year-old in the country could decide to marry a thirtysomething and she wouldn’t suddenly be gifted an eternal vacation.

Which is part of what makes the framing of this as an age-gap essay both strange and revealing. The benefits the writer derives from her relationship come from her partner’s money. But the things she gives up are the result of both their profound financial inequality and her relative youth. Compared to her and her peers, she writes, her husband “struck me instead as so finished, formed.” By contrast, “At 20, I had felt daunted by the project of becoming my ideal self.” The idea of having to take responsibility for her own life was profoundly unappealing, as “adulthood seemed a series of exhausting obligations.” Tying herself to an older man gave her an out, a way to skip the work of becoming an adult by allowing a father-husband to mold her to his desires. “My husband isn’t my partner,” she writes. “He’s my mentor, my lover, and, only in certain contexts, my friend. I’ll never forget it, how he showed me around our first place like he was introducing me to myself: This is the wine you’ll drink, where you’ll keep your clothes, we vacation here, this is the other language we’ll speak, you’ll learn it, and I did.”

These, by the way, are the things she says are benefits of marrying older.

The downsides are many, including a basic inability to express a full range of human emotion (“I live in an apartment whose rent he pays and that constrains the freedom with which I can ever be angry with him”) and an understanding that she owes back, in some other form, what he materially provides (the most revealing line in the essay may be when she claims that “when someone says they feel unappreciated, what they really mean is you’re in debt to them”). It is clear that part of what she has paid in exchange for a paid-for life is a total lack of any sense of self, and a tacit agreement not to pursue one. “If he ever betrayed me and I had to move on, I would survive,” she writes, “but would find in my humor, preferences, the way I make coffee or the bed nothing that he did not teach, change, mold, recompose, stamp with his initials.”

Reading Christie’s essay, I thought of another one: Joan Didion’s on self-respect , in which Didion argues that “character—the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life—is the source from which self-respect springs.” If we lack self-respect, “we are peculiarly in thrall to everyone we see, curiously determined to live out—since our self-image is untenable—their false notions of us.” Self-respect may not make life effortless and easy. But it means that whenever “we eventually lie down alone in that notoriously un- comfortable bed, the one we make ourselves,” at least we can fall asleep.

It can feel catty to publicly criticize another woman’s romantic choices, and doing so inevitably opens one up to accusations of jealousy or pettiness. But the stories we tell about marriage, love, partnership, and gender matter, especially when they’re told in major culture-shaping magazines. And it’s equally as condescending to say that women’s choices are off-limits for critique, especially when those choices are shared as universal advice, and especially when they neatly dovetail with resurgent conservative efforts to make women’s lives smaller and less independent. “Marry rich” is, as labor economist Kathryn Anne Edwards put it in Bloomberg, essentially the Republican plan for mothers. The model of marriage as a hierarchy with a breadwinning man on top and a younger, dependent, submissive woman meeting his needs and those of their children is not exactly a fresh or groundbreaking ideal. It’s a model that kept women trapped and miserable for centuries.

It’s also one that profoundly stunted women’s intellectual and personal growth. In her essay for the Cut, Christie seems to believe that a life of ease will abet a life freed up for creative endeavors, and happiness. But there’s little evidence that having material abundance and little adversity actually makes people happy, let alone more creatively generativ e . Having one’s basic material needs met does seem to be a prerequisite for happiness. But a meaningful life requires some sense of self, an ability to look outward rather than inward, and the intellectual and experiential layers that come with facing hardship and surmounting it.

A good and happy life is not a life in which all is easy. A good and happy life (and here I am borrowing from centuries of philosophers and scholars) is one characterized by the pursuit of meaning and knowledge, by deep connections with and service to other people (and not just to your husband and children), and by the kind of rich self-knowledge and satisfaction that comes from owning one’s choices, taking responsibility for one’s life, and doing the difficult and endless work of growing into a fully-formed person—and then evolving again. Handing everything about one’s life over to an authority figure, from the big decisions to the minute details, may seem like a path to ease for those who cannot stomach the obligations and opportunities of their own freedom. It’s really an intellectual and emotional dead end.

And what kind of man seeks out a marriage like this, in which his only job is to provide, but very much is owed? What kind of man desires, as the writer cast herself, a raw lump of clay to be molded to simply fill in whatever cracks in his life needed filling? And if the transaction is money and guidance in exchange for youth, beauty, and pliability, what happens when the young, beautiful, and pliable party inevitably ages and perhaps feels her backbone begin to harden? What happens if she has children?

The thing about using youth and beauty as a currency is that those assets depreciate pretty rapidly. There is a nearly endless supply of young and beautiful women, with more added each year. There are smaller numbers of wealthy older men, and the pool winnows down even further if one presumes, as Christie does, that many of these men want to date and marry compliant twentysomethings. If youth and beauty are what you’re exchanging for a man’s resources, you’d better make sure there’s something else there—like the basic ability to provide for yourself, or at the very least a sense of self—to back that exchange up.

It is hard to be an adult woman; it’s hard to be an adult, period. And many women in our era of unfinished feminism no doubt find plenty to envy about a life in which they don’t have to work tirelessly to barely make ends meet, don’t have to manage the needs of both children and man-children, could simply be taken care of for once. This may also explain some of the social media fascination with Trad Wives and stay-at-home girlfriends (some of that fascination is also, I suspect, simply a sexual submission fetish , but that’s another column). Fantasies of leisure reflect a real need for it, and American women would be far better off—happier, freer—if time and resources were not so often so constrained, and doled out so inequitably.

But the way out is not actually found in submission, and certainly not in electing to be carried by a man who could choose to drop you at any time. That’s not a life of ease. It’s a life of perpetual insecurity, knowing your spouse believes your value is decreasing by the day while his—an actual dollar figure—rises. A life in which one simply allows another adult to do all the deciding for them is a stunted life, one of profound smallness—even if the vacations are nice.

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We can trace Defoe's interest in the education of women to as early as 1705-1706, when he was working on behalf of the British government for the union of Scotland and Britain in 1707.
Opinion
Earning a solid income lifts the odds by 88 percent. Being "very satisfied" with one's job raises them by 145 percent. And marriage increases the odds of being very happy by 151 percent ...
‎Building Belief with Abby Skeans on Apple Podcasts
Hosted by social entrepreneur Abby Skeans, this transformative series is dedicated to exploring the profound impact of one's internal beliefs on personal growth and societal change. Abby's own journey from darkness to light, overcoming depression, trauma, and abuse, ignited her quest to uncover life-altering modalities that liberated her from ...
Why Abortion Is Back at the Supreme Court
Despite these assurances, less than two years after Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, abortion is back at the Supreme Court. In the next month, the justices will hear arguments in ...
Opinion
An essay published in New York Magazine's The Cut argued for marriage as a feminist reclamation. There are many reasons why that thinking is deeply flawed and even dangerous for women.
Teens are spending nearly 5 hours daily on social media. Here are the
41%. Percentage of teens with the highest social media use who rate their overall mental health as poor or very poor, compared with 23% of those with the lowest use. For example, 10% of the highest use group expressed suicidal intent or self-harm in the past 12 months compared with 5% of the lowest use group, and 17% of the highest users expressed poor body image compared with 6% of the lowest ...
Here's what's meant when gender balance is replaced by 'merit'
The group's opposition to safe, legal abortion for women is also seen as a civil rights issue by many. The essay is titled "Iowa gender balance law's repeal ends unconsitutional discrimination ...
The Education Of Women
The Education Of Women Daniel Defoe (1719) English Essays from Sir Philip Sidney to Macaulay Harvard Classics Series v. 27. Reprinted: Internet Modern History Sourcebook I have often thought of it as one of the most barbarous customs in the world, considering us as a civilized and a Christian country, that we deny the advantages of learning to women.
The Cut's viral essay on having an age gap is really about marrying
The Image Bank/Getty Images. Women are wisest, a viral essay in New York magazine's the Cut argues, to maximize their most valuable cultural assets— youth and beauty—and marry older men when ...