girl child education
DESCRIPTION
} When we talk of education for everybody, it is important to recognize that the world is different for girls than it is for boys, and any program or initiative must note this fact for any best practices to be realized.TRANSCRIPT
Personal experience in girl child education in rural set up in Kenya
Judith Pete
Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Who will cry for the little girl
the little girl that sleeps
Who will cry for the little girl
the little girl that weeps
Who will cry for the little girl
the little girl that will soon be grown
Who will cry for the little
the little girl who can't make it on her own
Who will cry for the little girl
the little girl who sits and stands
Who will cry for the little girl
the little girl who watches life in her hands
Who will cry for the little girl
the little girl that gives
Who will cry for the little girl
the little girl that lives
Who will cry for the little girl
the little girl that sleeps
Who will cry for the little girl
the little girl inside of me
Who will cry for the little girl
the little girl who used to be ME! !
Shaneka Taylor
} When we talk of education for everybody, it is important to recognize that the world is different for girls than it is for boys, and any program or initiative must note this fact for any best practices to be realized.
} Negative gender-based norms and practices can be gradually transformed through educational, social, legal and other processes that promote equality of girls and boys.
} It is worth noting that in rural Kenya, a combination of poverty, disease and backward cultural practices continue to deny the girl child her right to education.
} Even with the introduction of free primary education, access to it still remains a pipe dream to many Kenyan children.
} Whereas the introduction of free primary education last year saw an increase in the enrolment, a sizeable number of children, especially girls in the rural set up still find themselves out of school owing to a number of reasons.
} Universal education has proven to be the most effective means of eliminating endemic poverty, and on an individual level has been shown to be the most sustainable escape from poverty’s clutches.
} This is true for both women and men, and the gains are even greater in developing countries. But throughout the developing world, going to school is rarely free.
} Students are required to pay their own transportation costs, purchase uniforms, textbooks, notebooks and pencils. Children who cannot afford these basic costs cannot attend school.
} As families struggle to stay above the poverty line, the additional expense of school becomes an unlikely investment. Educating a daughter is therefore considered a burden. Hence in Rachuonyo and Suba Districts, Homa-Bay county, girls never sets foot in a classroom.
} Education encourages environmental sustainability: It allows people make decisions that meet the needs of the present without compromising those of future generations. Hence it is vital to rethink education, curricula and teaching practice in ways that complement the drive to achieve this.
} Education reduces/ eliminates poverty: economists tell us that ‘one extra year of schooling increases a person’s earnings by up to 10-15%. Hence if all children in Kenya left school with basic reading and writing skills, then Kenya (rural set ups) would be lifted out of poverty…
} Education reduces child mortality: } Education promotes gender equality by helping
women control how many children they have. In Mali, women with secondary education or higher have an average of three children, while those with no education have an average of seven children.
} Education reduces child mortality: a child born to a mother who can read is 50% more likely to survive past age five. In Indonesia, child vaccination rates are 19% when mothers have no education and 68% when mothers have at least secondary school education.
} Education contributes to improved maternal health: women with higher levels of education are most likely to delay and space out pregnancies, and to seek health care and support.
} Education helps combat HIV, malaria and other preventable diseases. In addition, it facilitates access to treatment and fights against stigma and discrimination.
} Creating an environment conducive to keeping girls in school through the secondary level; or at least ensure they are literate and have fully developed skills for innovativeness (KENSWED ACADEMY, CP SCHOOLS).
} Working with communities, including local political and religious leaders in order to increase public awareness of the needfulness of educating their daughters just as they do to the sons. (Ng’wono Women Group, Suba District).
} Providing life skills and counseling so that adolescent girls are aware of their rights and know about available services.
} Developing vocational training and income-generating programmes for adolescent girls to increase their status, independence and opportunities in life.
} Reinforcing the capacity of local governments to engage girls in the social, economic and political life of the country.
} Education is a right, like the right to have proper food or a roof over your head. Educating girls is a powerful lever for their empowerment, as well as for reducing poverty. Girls who are educated are likely to marry later and to have smaller, healthier families. Education helps girls to know their rights and claim them, for themselves and their families. Education can translate into economic opportunities for women and their families.
} Therefore, education is not only a right but a passport to human development. It opens doors and expands opportunities and freedoms. It contributes to fostering peace, democracy and economic growth as well as improving health and reducing poverty. The ultimate aim of Education for All is sustainable development .
How? } Believe in power of education } Motivational talks } I am donating 1 acre Piece of land in Suba
District –Homa-Bay County- for a School
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