All human beings have the right to get a basic and advanced education. However, women are not given equal educational opportunities when compared to men.
Historically, in all societies, women were generally given domestic roles. Women were responsible for housework, chores, and looking after babies and old parents. They couldn’t have access to a sufficient education. On the other hand, all major social work was done by men. When education was in question, men had the chance to get an education and learn new matters. Therefore, men could get higher status in all parts of life.
In addition to the social roles given to women, there are other challenges in female education. For example, poverty is a significant challenge. Families who cannot afford their basic needs prefer boys over girls for education. Religion and conservatism could sometimes be obstacles to women’s education. Because of such reasons, women are deprived of education. According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, there are 771 million adults without basic literacy skills, and 2/3 of these adults are women. These data show the inequality sharply. On the other hand, according to the data in the United States, in 2005, women earned 62% of associate degrees, 58% of bachelor’s degrees, 60% of master’s degrees, and 50% of doctorates. These data clearly show us what women can achieve when given equal opportunities.
Women form approximately half of the world’s population. So, their education is vitally important. When women are educated, they will be independent and substantial citizens. This is essential for the development of family structure and society. Besides, women will be able to contribute to the labor force. They will be active in business life, impacting families and the economy.
In conclusion, as seen in the UNESCO and US data above, educational inequality is mainly geography related. However, geography itself is not the only reason. Religion, culture, social values, and family structure are the conditions for men and women. Unlike the historical process, women must have equal educational opportunities. Women’s education is the only way to achieve natural development in society.
