Only one in three girls in India complete secondary school. High-quality girls’ education is crucial in equipping girls with the right skills for equal job opportunities to boys and in escaping generational poverty. When women can earn money, they are also able to contribute back to their community. Although poverty rates in 2023 have fallen to around 5%, inequality has risen in India. Gender disparities including in literacy and education have resulted in poverty rates for women to be 21%, compared to 15% for men. Therefore, these initiatives focused on girls’ education in India have been significant in reducing poverty and improving India’s overall economy.

Nearly one in four girls in India are in a marriage or union before their 18th birthday, primarily due to their families’ financial struggles and deep-rooted social norms. Early and child marriages are highly prevalent in Indian societies, disproportionately impacting girls and their education as their priorities change to domestic duties. A lack of feminine hygiene systems in schools and parent’s awareness about the importance of girl’s education, also challenge girls’ education in India. After voicing these concerns, initiatives have been implemented to begin to overcome these challenges and empower girls’ education in India.

UNICEF and Gender Equality

UNICEF India’s 2018-2022 initiative aims to improve India’s overall gender equality. Many girls in particular drop out of school early because of marriage. Consequently, adult literacy in India is lower among women than men. UNICEF’s initiatives have been productive on a national and district level, having supported large government programs in reducing child marriage and Panchayats in becoming “child marriage free.”

For example, by making it easier to report a child’s marriage to the authorities and promoting girls’ education rather than marriage. It is more likely for girls to stay in education when they postpone marriage beyond the legal age, which results in a more educated and empowered population. Women’s literacy levels are also important for their health and their ability to access help in case of domestic abuse.

UNICEF advocates for a more gender-responsive approach to the curriculum. This includes changing the language and images in textbooks to not perpetuate gender stereotypes and encouraging more women to pursue STEM subjects. Facilitating girls’ and boys’ clubs- those who are out of school and most vulnerable can safely continue their learning. UNICEF also encourages girls to participate in sports and activities such as photography.

The WASH program improved schools’ infrastructure and girls’ access to menstrual hygiene management. For example, under law, it is now mandatory for schools to provide well-equipped, separate gendered bathrooms.

Government Schemes

Launched in 2015, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) aims to address gender inequality by educating locals about the importance of investing in girl’s education. By openly challenging the social norm of girls’ education, it makes social policies that tackle gender inequality more effective. For example, introducing families to girls’ scholarships at university. Through the program, local data about girls’ education could also be analyzed, including which areas girls were most vulnerable to dropping out of school and identifying where extra support is needed to bridge India’s gender educational gap.

Looking Ahead

Although the gender gap in India’s education remains, its government and UNICEF initiatives have been foundational in India’s progress toward greater quality and access to girls’ education. Continuing to highlight and celebrate the benefits of empowering girls’ education could lead to greater social policy changes that reduce gender inequality as well as overall poverty in India.

– Liling Zhang

Liling is based in Manchester, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay