No more invisibility for girls: Closing the gender gap through Education

March 13, 2023

On International Women’s Day every year, we honour the accomplishments and impact of remarkable females throughout the world in line with the theme ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’

However, there are still countless girls who remain unseen and unheard The UN SDG 5 is focused on achieving gender equality and giving all women and girls the same opportunities by 2030. Unfortunately, we are not even close to reaching many of these objectives; education being one of them.

Education is an essential area in which solutions must be implemented to achieve equity One of the most significant hindrances to achieving gender equity is the absence of global data on girls and women – making it challenging to develop solutions

According to a UN Women article, only 48% of the information necessary for tracking SDG 5 is accessible The article conveys this idea emphatically: “Where data is absent, women and girls are invisible ”

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the lack of data on learning outcomes and education is huge Data is missing for both girls and boys, but girls are impacted more as learning inequities are more common. A 2022 UNESCO GEM report reveals that there is no data at all on the learning levels of two-thirds of African children

However capturing data is a core part of the KwaraLEARN model By supporting government partners to track data, girls who were previously invisible are seen – meaning when support is given excellent learning outcomes are assured

A recent study shows the benefits of KwaraLEARN’s model. By tracking student progress across indicators like attendance and academic performance, data can be used to develop methods and techniques that directly promote learning outcomes for girls To see increases in learning outcomes for girls in Africa, it is essential that governments and education stakeholders are supported in education programs and systems that embrace the potential of capturing learning data

UNESCO has noted that the difference in school attendance between girls and boys is shrinking, although in certain areas like Sub-Saharan Africa girls are still less likely to attend and remain in education With Improved learning, and learning outcomes, girls will more likely attend school, and stay on

Having access to education, and the support to attend school is often the first learning barrier many girls face.UNESCO has noted that the difference in school attendance between girls and boys is shrinking, although in certain areas like Sub-Saharan Africa girls are still less likely to attend and remain in education With Improved learning, and learning outcomes, girls will more likely attend school, and stay on

In KwaraLEARN, which NewGlobe is the technical partner, there is a higher level of involvement from girls – 8% more likely than those attending government schools outside the programme

Numerous examinations of education in Africa have revealed models where girls do not get adequate encouragement to learn

The Nobel Prize Laureate Professor Michael Kremer found the opposite when he led a study of NewGlobesupported schools in Kenya His 2022 report revealed that learning gains were equally large for girls and boys in NewGlobe support schools The findings contrast with established research which shows girls in SubSaharan Africa are consistently disadvantaged in learning with lower literacy rates than boys even when both have the same educational attainment

For girls to engage and succeed in school, they must feel represented and have positive role models.This can be challenging in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a 2019 NewGlobe study highlighting: “arguably, the most common barrier for girls [in Sub-Saharan Africa] has been the lacking societal sense of entitlement to education ”

KwaraLEARN model aims to break down these barriers By ensuring girls are represented and encouraged to learn, an environment is built that engages them A few examples of this include:

Commissioning all artwork and creative stories in textbooks and workbooks to ensure equal visibility of male and female characters, ensuring female characters are in powerful and unconventional roles

Introducing school leadership roles for both girls and boys

Approximately 60% of KwaraLEARN teachers are women, providing role models within the classroom and community.

Fostering partnerships, such as coding programs, aiming to close the gender gap of girls and women in STEM

This International Women’s Day must focus on foundations; the foundations of learning, the foundations of gender equity, and the solutions needed to ensure they are part of the future for all women and girls It’s time to make sure all girls are visible

As the world celebrates the significant achievements and contributions of girls and women around the globe, engaging in discussion about gender equity KwaraLEARN emphasizes the importance of having a strong focus on the foundation of equity and empowerment – education and the ability to learn.