Investing in Women and Girls' Education: A cost we cannot afford to ignore

When women are given equal opportunities to learn, earn and lead - entire communities thrive.

Educated women are more likely to be better informed about nutrition and healthcare, resulting in healthier lifestyles for themselves and their families.

For each year a girl stays in school above primary level, her chance of marrying at too young an age decreases, as does her chance of early pregnancy.

By gaining an education, women unlock the door to economic empowerment, becoming more likely to participate in the formal labour market and earn higher incomes, further breaking the cycle of poverty. And importantly, women have the critical tools and resources to leave violent and abusive situations.

And yet, the stark reality is that despite more girls than ever before going to school, it is still estimated that at the current rate of progress, 110 million girls and young women will be out of school in 2030, and nearly one in three of the adolescent girls from the poorest households around the world has never been to school.

Educational disparity not only deprives women and girls of their full potential but also hinders progress for the community at large. A World Bank study sheds light on the staggering economic cost, stating “limited educational opportunities for girls, and barriers to completing 12 years of education, cost countries between US$15 trillion and $30 trillion in lost lifetime productivity and earnings.”

Without equal access to education and the opportunities to learn, how can women ever build their capacity to earn and lead? How can we ever hope to reach gender equality when women and girls consistently face societal barriers to gaining financial independence and advocating for themselves?

The education of women and girls is a priority we cannot afford to ignore.

This International Women’s Day, I hope you will join us as we explore how by addressing challenges and creating opportunities, we can contribute collectively to a world where every woman is counted in, invested in, and empowered to break the cycle of inequality, creating a more prosperous future for all.

--

Join UN Women Australia this International Women’s Day under the theme Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress to raise vital funds for the world’s women and girls. Tickets are now on sale for Australia’s pre-eminent IWD 2024 event series held in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth on Friday 8 March. Find more or learn how you can bring IWD to your workplace with our IWD@Work packages at iwd.net.au

#CountHerIn #IWD2024 #EducationDay