Discussions in schools in more developed countries are often about their priorities, such as which subjects should be given more importance, which student needs extra support, or where more budget needs to be invested.
United Nations data suggest that in the last decade, there has been “almost zero progress” in addressing access to education in some of the world’s poorest countries. This has led to different opportunities that both boys and girls have in terms of access to education. Sexism in education isn’t something new, and this is often addressed in sexism essays that can be found online. These papers written by students are often based on real-life examples of sexism in education. And although one is formally free to choose the education he or she needs, the reality is different. the show that even throughout developed countries that these roles are not completely equal.
But for families living in most developing countries, concerns about children’s education are often as basic. They are not sure whether will it be possible to send their children to school? Could it be free? And could they even get into college?
On the other hand, in a written report published by the same organization at the end of last year that examined the quality of education, the findings were startling: more than 600 million children in classrooms are learning almost nothing about this topic.
Gender is an Important Factor
In many countries around the world, girls who are inadvertently subject to sexism and prejudice are expected to work, usually at home or caring for siblings. Instead of going to school. And many marry as teenagers, ending any chance of receiving an education.
In regards to what experts have to say about incomes, it is hard to believe that there are countries where women earn up to 75% less than men. As is the case in Iran, where women earn an average of $21,000 per year compared to just over $4,000 per year for men. This is data provided by one of the latest reports made by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Global Gender Gap and that today never cease to surprise me.
There are countries where women have to fight against barriers and social injustices: forced marriage, veto in politics, or wage inequality are just some of them. According to the facts and figures of the WEF report, which has analyzed over 145 countries around the world, these are the 10 countries that have obtained the worst score in terms of gender equality, thus turning them into the countries with worst education rights for girls:
- Afghanistan
- Egypt
- Mali
- Lebanon
- Morocco
- Jordan
- Iran
- Syria
- Pakistan
- Yemen
The main reasons for these countries to be the worst countries for women’s rights, are usually a mix, of some or nearly all of the reasons, which in general are the main cause of this sexism and prejudice against women education:
- Life expectancy is lower than their male counterparts.
- A general climate of macho violence and misogyny due to many factors and topics.
- In some countries, mostly catholic, where getting a divorce is not allowed, there exists what is called a “crime of honor” by which a father/brother may murder their daughter/sister if they suspect she is being unfaithful.
- In many cases, the political representation in Parliament or any political organ is insufficient or directly non-existent, which creates a vicious circle where women are neither represented nor get into office.
Also read: 10 worst countries for women.
Best Countries for Girls to Get an Education
If now you’re gathering information on where you could possibly move to in this day and age, hopefully, you’re not living in one of the aforementioned countries. To finish on a lighter note, here are some examples of countries that are well known to have a more accepting culture and favorable conditions for most women:
- Portugal
- Japan
- Cuba
- United States
- Ireland
- Luxemburg
- Austria
- New Zealand
Conclusion
Though some essay stats are disheartening, it is revealing to keep these things in mind when traveling, or thinking about our situation in our home country. Many of us are very lucky to have not been born into one of the countries with the worst education rights for girls.
Whilst being a woman in general in today’s (and yesterday) world is a much more grueling experience than being a man, in certain countries, aside from those mentioned before, are an extreme climate for women to thrive in. And in many aspects, the worst thing is that it is normalized through cultural norms, religion, or other untouchable barriers.
Times are a-changin’, as Dylan would say. And it is true: stats and study samples are proving to be heartwarming in many countries, even in developed countries, where and I strongly believe that through this constant activism and global communication, we can narrow down the gender gap to a bare minimum in less than a decade.