Empowering women and providing equal opportunities for all is one of the most important agendas for any developing country. All countries including India is aiming to have a better balance for both men and women. However, the low participation of women in the workforce, unequal pay, rising cases of sexual harassment and inequality in education paints a gloomy picture on the status of women in the country.

Education of girls is one of the important aspects to attend gender equality. It has a strong impact on the social and global developments. According to UNICEF, for every year of primary schooling, a girl receives, her earning potential increases by 10% to 20%. And for every secondary education, the increase is between 15% and 25%. Further, a child born to a literate mother is 50% more likely to survive past the age of 5; and educated mothers are more than twice as likely to send their children to school.

India has seen a positive trend in female student enrollment at primary levels at 48% girls to 52% boys. However, there is a very high drop-out rate at the secondary level. Cultural norms and gender bias results in girls being kept at home to help with the household chores or take care of the younger siblings. Often concerns for the safety of adolescent females travelling long distances to secondary schools increase drop-out rates. Under-age marriage, early child delivery and low aspirations for education among girls also are contributing factors.

In order to encourage more girls in the classroom, the Govt initiated various schemes like distribution of bicycles, free primary education for girls. To tackle the concerns regarding safety, the improvement in infrastructure by adding usable toilets in schools has been initiated. However, loopholes regarding the proper functioning of such initiatives still exist.

Providing women with quality education will certainly open avenues of employment for them,  make them self-reliant leading to the emergence of successful role models. Such role models are critical for behavior change, particularly in areas where gender stereotypes are more prevalent. Another solution would be an improvement in the self-esteem of girls at home. In Indian households, boys are a major priority than girls. They are often raised with the best education, food and school. Such gender discrimination often affect a girls ability to a great extent. Shedding gender stereotypes and discrimination against Girls and encouraging them to what they want is essential to improve their self-confidence.

At policy level, there should be certain policy changes. Introducing a compulsory subject on gender education, aimed at developing a social and political understanding of gender should be introduced as a part of the official school curriculum. Such curriculum should be introduced in all schools and central education boards at post-primary level for both boys and girls.

Teachers are the potential agents of social change. Hence, the sensitization of teachers for gender concerns and training to adopt new forms of pedagogy that engage students must be encouraged. The education system in India must move from the traditional and outdated way of imparting knowledge and encourage students to develop a problem-solving attitude and practical ways of survival in dynamic situations.

Apart from teachers, schools and Govt. Parents also play a key role in establishing gender parity. Sensitization of parents for a gender-equal and caregiving parenting is important for the development. They must be encouraged to become a role model at home by sharing the burden together. Parents must not show any preferential behavior towards either of their children. All children at home irrespective of their gender must be treated equally.

If we intend to create a skilled, developed and gender equal world then the deeply entrenched patriarchal mindsets in the whole generation of boys and girls, parents and teachers must be changed. To do this, we need to make truly progressive changes in our school curriculum and society by adopting gender equal norms and changing our mindsets.

Created By Ankita Singh (Sr. Executive – Content)