Challenges and Triumphs of Women's Education

By: L. Roschel

For centuries, women’s education was largely left aside or actively discouraged around the world. Traditionally, societal norms positioned and directed women only to roles as caretakers and homemakers, rather than learners and leaders. Women for several years didn’t have the opportunity to discover, specialize and evolve in their academic careers. Along the way, numerous triumphs were conquered with bravery, courage and resilience to achieve the right of education, however, the challenges that women had to face in this journey were extreme, frightening and lasting.
Those complex challenges involved in women’s education include: Cultural and religious beliefs, since women were often seen as intellectually inferior, and their primary value was in terms of their domestic roles. Legal barriers, until the 19th and early 20th centuries, many countries had laws that restricted women’s access to formal education. Economic disadvantages, in underprivileged communities, families prioritized the education of boys, believing that they would have better prospects for employment. At the same time, girls were often expected to marry young or work at home. In addition to Safety and accessibility, even where education was theoretically available, long distances to schools, dangerous travel routes, and lack of sanitary facilities discouraged girls from attending.
Nevertheless, women never stopped fighting, passing through protests, manifests and countless fights. In 1827 in Brazil, for instance, the first elementary schools for girls were opened and the profession of school teacher was established. Moreover, by 1789, Massachusetts required both school mistresses and masters to be certified, which finally recognized women as formal teachers. Triumphs in women’s education go beyond being inside a classroom, as Michelle Obama, in her Let Girls Learn initiative, emphasized:
“When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous.” The former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said, “There is no tool for development more effective than the education of girls.”
According to UNESCO, global female literacy rates have steadily increased. In many countries, girls’ enrollment in primary education now equals or exceeds that of boys.  Furthermore, plenty of International movements such as the Malala Fund, the Global Partnership for Education, and campaigns by UN Women have brought attention and resources to girls’ education worldwide. While laws were created to direct mandatory education for girls, prohibiting child marriage, and ensuring gender equality in education, what have helped deconstruct institutional barriers.
However, we still have a great number of aspects to improve and develop. Worldwide, 119 million girls are out of school and only 49 per cent of countries have achieved gender parity in primary education. Besides at the secondary level, the gap widens: 42 per cent of countries have achieved gender parity in lower secondary education, and 24 per cent in upper secondary education. Thus, what we see around us today is the result of years and decades of struggle to overcome challenges that seemed impossible to achieve, and the triumphs must continue. As St. Paul's pupils, we know how essential education is to shape both our future and our present, always seeking new learning opportunities. Such is the value that education provides and should never be underestimated, only enhanced for future generations.