UNESCO says appropriate public policies, including a conducive environment, are needed for successful education of the girl child and gender equality in education across the world.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General, UNESCO, said this on Wednesday in her message on the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child, which is marked annually on Oct. 11.
The theme of the 2023 event is: “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership & Wellbeing.”
Azoulay said in 2022, UNESCO assisted 31 countries to review their policies, legislation and strategies on gender equality in and through education.
“For instance, we helped Liberia develop its first Girls’ Education Strategy, now incorporated into their new sector plan,” she said.
She added that UNESCO played a key monitoring role at the global level mapping girls’ and women’s right to education across 196 countries.
According to her, girls have in the past decade been vocal advocates for values such as education for all, climate justice and peace.
Azoulay said girls had actively opposed discrimination, tackling the systemic inequalities that fragmented societies and their dedication had borne fruit.
She said by 2009 the world had achieved gender parity in primary and lower secondary education, and by 2013 in upper secondary education.
According to her, regional disparities remain, notably in sub-Saharan Africa where for every 100 boys there are 96 girls enrolled in primary, 91 in lower secondary and 87 in upper secondary education.
She called on stakeholders to address the root causes of school dropouts, especially early and unintended pregnancies, as well as ensure that girls could pursue careers of their choice.
“UNESCO strives to eliminate obstacles preventing girls and women from entering fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, where they currently represent a mere 35 per cent of tertiary graduates.
“In 2022, our efforts to break down barriers to STEM education through mentorships, role models and career development programmes benefited over 5,550 girls and women.
“We recently honoured the 2023 recipients of the UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education.
“These laureates have empowered countless girls in vulnerable situations to access both formal and informal education, allowing them to become community leaders,” she said.
She explained that the efforts of those honoured highlighted the transformative power of girls’ education for equality and enduring change.
“On this International Day of the Girl Child, and every day thereafter, join UNESCO in celebrating, championing and accompanying girls on their journey,” Azoulay said.
