Booker Martin
Ms. Tompkins
World Lit Honors P2
3/13/15
Breaking the Mold?
Female Education in Africa
In Africa, the traditional responsibilities of females revolve around domestic life (Role). Illiteracy due to lack of education leads women to be reliant on others, thus they continue to enforce gender stereotypes. In contrast, with education, a multitude of opportunities arise to break this mold. Yet despite its importance, the availability of education for females in Africa was bleak five years ago. In 2010, The Guardian described north-eastern Africa as the region in the world least likely to provide education. It stated that “girls are far less likely to attend schools than boys,” and predicted that “by 2015, there will be more children out of school than there are today” (Shepherd). Now, five years later, we can witness the direction women’s education in Africa has taken.
The ratio of females to males attending schools throughout Africa has significantly increased. The World Economic Forum conducted a study in 2014 that included 33 African countries, 22 of which are nearing an equal amount of boys and girls in primary school and 11 where girls make up the majority (Mungai). The fact that one-third of these African countries have more girls in school than boys indicates the turnaround of a problem once viewed by many as hopeless. Ethiopia is an example of an African country with a positive growth of primary school attendance. In 2000, 33 percent of males and 28 percent of females went to primary school. By 2011, the participation for both males and females had risen to 65 percent. One benefit of this was a 22 percent increase in female literacy (Berry). Ethiopia is one of the many countries striving to improve female access to education.
Percentage distribution of mains reasons given by persons aged 7 to 18 years for not attending an educational institution, by sex, 2013
However, females in Africa face many obstacles in education. According to the UNICEF South African statistics, 90.9 percent of all females enroll in primary school. Nearly one tenth of the female population is deprived of basic education (Statistics). The chart above reveals the numerous reasons why school-age females do not attend school (South). The biggest issue girls face is a lack of money to pay for school, supplies, and transportation. Family commitments are another deterrent almost exclusive to females. Typically, parents prioritize males’ education over females’ due to expectations that girls will marry early and remain at home whereas boys will have financial responsibilities. Finally, sexual harassment at school poses as another barrier between females and education (Girls). Many girls fear potential abuse, which dissuades them from taking advantage of educational opportunities.
The increased ratio of female to male students in Africa indicates some progress towards equality in education. If this trend continues, females will have more opportunities in their lives beyond the stereotypical gender roles. However, there are currently many challenges preventing the majority of females from attending school. What will the next five years bring?
Works Cited
Berry, Chris. "250 Million Children Not Learning – but Has There Been Any Progress? ." World Education Blog. WordPress, 04 Apr. 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
"Girls Dropping Out of School Is Sad." Africa News Service 27 Feb. 2015: n. pag. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 8 Mar. 2015.
Mungai, Christine. "Girls Now Outnumber Boys in School in Many African Nations - the Reasons Why Will Surprise You." Mail & Guardian Africa. Mail & Guardian Africa, 4 Nov. 2014. Web. 09 Mar. 2015.
"Role of Rural Women in Country's Development Highlighted." Africa News Service 7 July 2014: n. pag. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
Shepherd, Jessica. "70 Million Children Get No Education, Says Report." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited, 20 Sept. 2010. Web.
South Africa. General Household Survey. Statistics South Africa, 2013. Web. 2015.
"Statistics." UNICEF. United Nations, 31 Dec. 2013. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Booker, overall I like how your article explains how girls getting an education has changed over time. This relates to amounts of water change in my article. My biggest takeaway from your article is how sexual harassment is prevent education. That is terrible.
ReplyDeleteYour headline was really interesting. I like how you organized your ideas, started with the problem, moved towards the solution. I thought that girls were simply being denied education and you definitely gave a different perspective on that topic. This made me aware of the privilege I have to be able to go to school and receive a good education.
ReplyDelete