UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) reports that 129 million girls are out of school globally, often due to factors such as poverty, child marriage, and gender-based violence.
The UN agency responsible for children’s welfare worldwide reports that in many cases, poor families tend to prioritize boys when it comes to investing in education. Added the agency:
Around the world, 129 million girls are out of school, including 32 million of primary school age, 30 million of lower-secondary school age, and 67 million of upper-secondary school age. In countries affected by conflict, girls are more than twice as likely to be out of school than girls living in non-affected countries.
Only 49 per cent of countries have achieved gender parity in primary education. At the secondary level, the gap widens: 42 per cent of countries have achieved gender parity in lower secondary education, and 24 per cent in upper secondary education.
In some places, schools do not meet the safety, hygiene or sanitation needs of girls. In others, teaching practices are not gender-responsive and result in gender gaps in learning and skills development.
Unicef also said investing in girls’ education has a transformative impact on communities, countries and the world at large. The UN agency argues that girls who receive an education are less likely to marry early and more likely to lead healthy and productive lives. They earn higher incomes, participate in decision-making, and create better futures for themselves and their families.
Unicef added that girls’ education strengthens economies and reduces inequality, contributing to stable and resilient societies that give all individuals, including boys and men, the opportunity to fulfil their potential. However, education for girls goes beyond just access to school. It also involves creating safe learning environments and supporting girls in pursuing subjects and careers in which they are often underrepresented.
Despite evidence demonstrating how central girls’ education is to development, gender disparities in education persist. To bridge the gap, various organisations are offering scholarships to female students,
There are various scholarships available for female students in Zimbabwe. Some of them include:
i). The Higherlife Foundation: This foundation offers scholarships to talented and deserving students, including girls, who are financially disadvantaged.
ii). Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: This program provides scholarships to girls from disadvantaged backgrounds to enable them to pursue their education.
iii). Zimbabwe Women’s Bureau: This organization provides scholarships to female students in various fields of study.
iv). The Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre and Network: This organization provides scholarships to female students who are pursuing courses in gender and women’s studies.
v). The Women’s University in Africa: This university provides scholarships to female students who are studying at the institution.