The benefits of girls education: Empowering the next generation of female leaders

The benefits of girls’ education help educate society about the importance of women in constructing society and the world. Society has been suppressing and tying women to traditional gender roles, and it is time people step out of it. To educate society about the importance of education for women, the educated group of women must come up and fight for the rights of other girls. A learned woman is not only the forerunner of her dreams and ambitions but also of her family, society and the world. The blog highlights the importance of girls’ education in turning them into next-generation world leaders.

How can education change the future of women?

Education is the tool that stimulates thinking, induces understanding and instils knowledge and learning. Students are exposed to education from a very young age at their homes. Female education has, over the years, gained importance in society. Post-independence, schools opened up to accommodate education for both genders. Women are said to be the forerunners of their families, houses and the society. They are, in a way, the centre of balance in the society. For a long time, women have been oppressed and subjugated, treated as commodities and stepped over by men. Education helps create awareness about women’s rights and gives them the voice to take a stand against the evils in society and their homes. Educated women uphold rational and progressive thinking, have more vigorous virtues and morals, and are independent and goal-oriented. If not for education, women shall forever remain unaware of their rights, live within four walls of the house, and have no opinion or voice of their own.

Obstacles in girl-child education

Even though society has advanced, there are still plenty of cases of either no education or lesser education for girls. A few reasons are-

1. Marriage– Millions of girls are thrown into child marriage or have constant family pressure to marry and settle. It is considered that men are the bread-earners and women are the providers in the family. Society still enforces these gendered roles. It is why many women have to leave their studies mid-way and later get caught into bearing kids and rearing the family.
2. Lack of funds– Many families prioritise educating boys over girls. They do not consider it necessary to invest money in their daughters and would instead collect that money to raise a dowry for their weddings. Lack of investment in schools keeps girls away from learning and empowerment.
3. Discrimination– Based on gender, young girls are taught to cook and do household chores while boys play and attend school. In rural areas, girl education at school is not deemed high; they are taught just for the sake of it. Millions of violence and harassment cases have been registered in schools by teachers or staff members. Parents raise their voices if anything happens to boys; if any misconduct happens to girls, they are asked to sit back at home.
4. Because they are girls– From parents to family to society, all uphold the notion that there is no reason why a woman should be allowed to study for as long as she is willing. Even if allowed to learn, she is denied the right to go for jobs or choose her career path. Her degree is just a measure of the bidding price to be offered to potential husbands. The future of women is still under deep potholes where they have to fight to study, make their career and prove to society that their education is worth investing money in.

Why should society promote women’s education?

If taken from the society’s point of view, women nourish, educate and nurture the upbringing of the future generations. Every child’s learning begins at home, where they spend maximum time with their mothers. An educated woman is mentally, morally, virtuously and emotionally awake. She will mould her family, the society and the world and give it meaning. Women are spreading their wings in every potential career field and exploring and contributing to creating benchmarks. In the past years, they have proved that they can work parallel to men. Women’s empowerment does not mean demeaning men or considering them any less; it just aims to focus on women and liberate them from the conservative shackles of society. 

Benefits of female education

Everyone should be awarded the right to education and to choose and pursue their career paths. Education is vital in moulding and transforming young minds and guiding them into a brighter tomorrow.

1. Raises awareness– Learned women are goal-oriented and are aware of their surroundings, health-related risks and precautions, family planning, and women’s rights. Knowledge about society and the world helps women understand and formulate a better path that uplifts them and others.
2. Instils cognitive thinking– It helps humans to know, learn, understand and comprehend the acquired knowledge and form their ideologies and thoughts. To differentiate right and wrong, make decisions, and have different points of view, is to be mentally stimulated. It helps transform girls into next-generation female leaders.
3. Hold opinions– Opinionated women can raise their voices against injustices and shortcomings in society, thereby helping transform the world. Reasonable and rational thinking are key motivators of every great mind. Educated girls are vocal about their opinions but also respect others’ views.
4. Family planning– Schools are incorporating lessons on the importance of having a planned family. A learned woman knows the importance of reproductive health and contraceptive measures and contributes towards controlling population growth and the sustainable development of society.
5. Uplifting other women– Many women held down by patriarchy suffer in silence and are subjects of harassment, domestic violence and trafficking. Education for women helps strengthen them as they fight for other women’s rights and help liberate them.
6. Boosting economy– Women who are provided quality education choose better and righteous career paths. Women are rising and reaching for higher education and career options globally. It helps boost the economy and diversify career options where women can contribute and excel.

Knowing the benefits of girls’ education enables society to broaden their thinking and encourage their daughters, wives and mothers to continue learning and achieve what they want. Girls must also raise awareness among their family members and drive them towards encouraging them in their studies.

SKV is a girls’ boarding school affiliated with the CBSE board that provides world-class education to girls from class VI onwards. Our vision is to provide modern and progressive learning intermingled with Indian traditions and culture.