Why Women and Girls?
Women and girls around the world face many barriers, but access to quality education can change everything.
Why Female Education?
For women and girls, access to quality education can change everything.
We believe that all women and girls should have access to quality education so they can thrive.
The positive impacts of educating women and girls are far-reaching. Yet millions of women and girls face structural and societal barriers that prevent them from accessing education and excelling in their studies. This can include childcare responsibilities, gender-based violence, or a family’s reluctance to pay for a girl’s education instead of her brother’s.
Worldwide, an estimated 129 million girls are denied access to education, according to a recent UNESCO report. The economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has widened education gaps for girls, and threatens to reverse progress made over the last two decades.
Educate and empower women and girls, transform the world
63%
of the 771 million illiterate adults in the world are women
55%
of primary school-age children who are not in school are girls.
58%
of women in the world are employed in the informal economy
25%
increase in a girl's potential wages for each year of secondary school.
The power of education
Educated women have more resources for decision-making
Educated women have greater access to information and resources, which informs and improves their choices: They can make better decisions about their health, choose to marry at the best time for themselves, and better support their children.
Educated women have access to better jobs in the formal economy
Education increases a woman’s chance of entering the formal economy and narrows pay gaps. With improved access to the formal sector, women can expect better social protections, improved rights at work, and safer working conditions.
Educated women invest in their communities
Educated women are empowered to take on leadership roles within their communities, both formally and informally. With increased representation by women in the public sector, policies better reflect the needs of family and community life.
Educated women have healthier, more educated families
Educated women have better maternal outcomes and their children are significantly more likely to survive infancy and childhood. Further, they are better equipped to provide educational support to their children. Healthy, educated children become happier and more engaged members of society.
How do we provide education to women and girls?
How do we provide education to women and girls?
Learn MoreAccess to education changes everything
Aminata’s Story
“I would love to work in the biggest hotel in the world!” Aminata, Côte d’Ivoire
