Introduction
The education of girls extends beyond the issue of equality; it significantly contributes to the achievement of sustainable global development. Access to continuous learning opportunities equips girls to effectively overcome socio-economic barriers, make informed choices, and actively engage in shaping their communities and the broader society. This article examines the transformative impact of educating females through ongoing knowledge acquisition, emphasising the essential role that lifelong learning plays in promoting sustainable advancement, reducing poverty, and enhancing gender parity.
It was estimated in 2023 that 120 million girls worldwide were not registered in schools across different levels. Around 86 million girls of this number are in Sub-Saharan Africa. While the global rate of completion for girls in lower secondary education is about 78%, this number drops significantly in low-income regions and fragile states. In Sub-Saharan Africa, only 25% of girls finish senior secondary education (UNESCO).
The significance of education as a vital instrument for deciding the future of individuals and societies cannot be overemphasised. For a girl child, the influence of education spreads beyond personal growth to sustainable development. It is widely acknowledged that girls’ education is critical to achieving gender parity, reducing poverty, and promoting social progress. However, the journey towards constant learning for the female gender has diverse hurdles, including cultural roadblocks and economic barriers.
A vital way to achieve the education of the girl child is through lifelong learning. This includes constant learning from infant age through adulthood. It equips young girls with the critical skills necessary to flourish in an ever-developing international environment.
What is the Significance of Continuous Learning for a Girl Child?
Continuous Learning is the constant and deliberate process of acquiring knowledge for personal or corporate growth. It is an obligation to enhance one’s skills and competencies throughout one’s lifetime. For girls, this means allowing them to follow through with their education and learning initiatives, enabling them to thrive in various aspects of life. When girls get engaged in lifelong learning, they not only have access to better job openings but also acquire the skills and knowledge required to contribute to leadership, entrepreneurship, and inventions in their environment and beyond.
Research shows that advancing the education of girls can have a significant impact on economic growth, health, and, ultimately, society. A report by the World Bank discloses that each year of higher education can enhance a girl’s future earnings by up to 20%. Additionally, well-informed women are more disposed to making significant investments in their families, therefore adding to the improved health and education of future generations.
Obstacles to Education for the Female Child
Despite the numerous benefits associated with educating the girl child, they face significant obstacles globally. The education of the male child is usually preferred owing to cultural norms, demoting the female child to domestic duties or early marriage. This significantly limits their quest for educational pursuit. Economic barriers also exert substantial influence, as poor families are constantly forced to make hard decisions as regards educational priorities, often preferring boys. Furthermore, girls in rural areas face challenges in accessing good schools and high-quality educational resources.
The digital gap has further exacerbated these problems, with approximately 327 million fewer women having internet access internationally compared to men. This disparity hinders the female child’s ability to leverage online learning opportunities, leaving them on the margin of the digital transformation crucial for access to modern education, particularly in deprived communities.
The Role of Technology in Facilitating Learning
Lifelong learning is the foundation of individual and corporate growth. In the digital age, technology accelerates ongoing learning. It provides many opportunities for learners to obtain new skills and knowledge at their own pace, whether through e-learning platforms, webinars, or virtual Instructor-led sessions. This shift allows individuals to take charge of their learning journey, liberated from the limitations of traditional educational structures.
Technology has emerged as a powerful tool in addressing various barriers, particularly in expanding access to lifelong learning. E-learning platforms such as Percipio Learning Experience Platform, and local initiatives have helped girls engage in remote learning, reducing their reliance on physical classroom attendance. The Percipio platform offers a wide array of courses across different fields, enabling girls to acquire relevant skills despite limited local resources.
Another great technological advancement is Mobile learning. This has proven to be potent in rural areas with insufficient education infrastructure. Through mobile phones, girls can access concise lessons, video tutorials, and online classrooms. For example, the Mobile Learning Week initiative championed by UNESCO emphasised the importance of mobile technology in closing the knowledge gap for girls in rural areas. Moreover, other initiatives like STEM, which is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, have helped empower girls with the relevant skills for the future workforce, thereby improving the possibility of pursuing careers in technology-driven fields.
Female Education as a Path to Sustainable Development
Continuous learning for the female gender is not only beneficial to them but also plays a major role in progressing sustainable development. Informed women are crucial for the achievement of Quality Education and Gender Equality in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Educated girls are more likely to make more contributions to the economy and promote social and environmental change.
The correlation between the education of girls and their economic empowerment is very clear. Educated girls experience heightened employment prospects and demonstrate a greater propensity to actively participate in the workforce, thereby making significant contributions to national economies. Notably, research suggests that the promotion of gender equality in education and employment has the potential to augment the global GDP by an estimated $12 trillion by the year 2025.
In addition, continuous learning has a positive impact on environmental sustainability. Educated women are more inclined to endorse and uphold environmentally responsible practices, assume leadership roles in sustainable agriculture, and influence policies targeting climate change. Women frequently act as stewards of natural resources and empowering them with pertinent knowledge can yield substantial benefits for environmental conservation endeavors.
Policies and Strategies to Inspire Lifelong Learning for Girls
Governments, organisations, and communities must work together to ensure unbiased access to continuous education for girls. The government has a crucial role in creating policies that prioritise girls’ education at all levels. For instance, the government can implement policies that provide free and compulsory primary and secondary education and offer incentives for girls to pursue higher education and vocational training.
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and private sectors must continue to fund and boost ideas focused on providing girls access to education and technology. Cultural norms that deter girls from seeking education must be challenged through awareness campaigns and community dialogues. Furthermore, fostering an environment where girls have access to mentorship and role models can serve as a motivation to pursue lifelong learning and leadership roles within their regions.
Conclusion
Lifelong learning, which is the constant pursuit of knowledge and skills, holds a crucial role in enabling the girl child and enhancing sustainable growth. By offering girls steady opportunities to increase their knowledge, establish new skills, and develop individually and professionally, we can lay the groundwork for a more just and enduring future. To achieve this vision, it is pertinent for all stakeholders, including governments, organisations, communities, and families, to work together to pull down the obstacles that hinder girls’ access to education and the attainment of critical skills required for the future. This collaborative effort is crucial in creating the way for an enduring future, starting with the education and empowerment of every girl, thus enabling her to make vital contributions to the growth and well-being of society.
Phillips Consulting has been at the forefront of promoting education for the female demographic through its collaboration with Skillsoft. Skillsoft Percipio, an online learning platform, facilitates the delivery of compelling educational content sourced from a wide array of learning channels. We are dedicated to harnessing our platform to propel the educational advancement of females, both in their personal and professional capacities.
Contact us at enquiry@phillipsconsulting.net to learn more about our offerings.
Written by:
Onesimus Ocheho
Senior Digital Learning Advisor
