By Grace Aderemi John and Martin Mbewe
Poverty, an insidious force, has shattered countless futures, tearing apart families and friendships, and snuffing out the light of potential. What does it mean to watch your dreams fade away because of a lack of resources, while your peers continue their journey towards education?
For many girls across Africa, this heart-wrenching reality is not a distant possibility but an everyday struggle, as they face an uphill battle against the cruel hand of poverty that keeps their aspirations out of reach.
Zainab and Hauwa were inseparable during their primary school years in Zamfara, North Eastern Nigeria. Their friendship blossomed alongside their shared brilliance and ambition.
Hauwa dreamt of wearing a white coat as a doctor or nurse, while Zainab envisioned herself as a champion for environmental causes. As friends, they navigated each academic challenge, their aspirations growing with every step forward.
But as they approached the final stretch of senior secondary school, Hauwa’s seat in the classroom sat conspicuously empty.
Concerned, Zainab reached out, only to discover a harsh reality; Hauwa’s educational journey had come to an abrupt halt, derailed by the relentless grip of poverty. Her family could no longer afford the costs of schooling, and with that, Hauwa’s dreams were forced to wither.
Fifteen years later, the sorrow in Zainab’s voice is still palpable as she reflects on the state of education for girls in her home state: “The pain of losing a friend to poverty is one thing, but knowing there are countless ‘Hauwas’ across Africa is even more heartbreaking,” she laments.
Across the globe, education is a fundamental right, regardless of gender or the socio-economic conditions of a country. Sadly, this right exists only on paper in many African nations.
According to the UN in its 2023 GEM Report, the female out-of-school rate is 4.2 percentage points higher than that of boys in Sub-Saharan Africa. This stark statistic represents millions of girls whose dreams are being tossed to the wind due to poverty, insecurity, and child marriage.
In Malawi, economic pressures force many girls to abandon school to support their families or enter early marriages. UNICEF reports that 46% of girls in Malawi are married before age 18.
Furthermore, the Malawi National Statistical Office notes that 30% of girls do not complete primary school, primarily due to financial constraints and related issues like inadequate school facilities and health challenges, including period poverty.
It appears to be a common occurrence in Africa that many families struggle to afford basic school supplies like uniforms, textbooks, and even pencils because of poverty. But what can be done to change this narrative?
Girls’ education is more than just school attendance; it is about ensuring that girls feel safe, are supported, and are allowed to complete all levels of education.
It is about equipping them with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the labour market, adapt to a rapidly changing world, make informed decisions about their own lives, and contribute to their communities.
The lack of educational opportunities for girls represents a serious constraint on development, both for individuals and Africa as a continent.
Education for girls is important because it exposes them to good health practices, and informs them of the type of health care that they need, consequently improving and promoting health equity. There is a need for us to come together to address this challenge if we are to develop.
Commendably, individuals and civil society organisations are working to improve education across the continent. Among them is the African Union (AU), which is focused on reducing poverty and improving girls’ education through its “Agenda 2063” and the “Continental Education Strategy for Africa” (CESA 16-25). These frameworks aim to improve educational access, promote gender equality, and alleviate poverty throughout Africa.
The AU also supports initiatives like the African Girls’ Education Initiative (AGEI) to address barriers to girls’ education. In Nigeria, the Girl Effect organiszation empowers girls through education and economic opportunities, tackling poverty and fostering development.
In Malawi, the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) supports girls’ education by providing scholarships, school supplies, and community support, working to reduce poverty and improve educational outcomes for girls. These are important steps in the right direction.
The time has come for countries and individuals to rally behind initiatives such as these to improve the educational and living standards for girls in Africa.
As Africa races to meet its education goals, addressing the financial barriers to girls’ education is not just an option – it is an urgent necessity. The future of millions of girls and the continent as a whole depends on it.
NB: The writers are development communication specialists based in Lagos, Nigeria, and Lilongwe, Malawi.
