Gender and change

Gender: The condition of being male or female.

Inequalities: When people are treated differently and unfairly.

Equality: When everyone is treated in the same way.

Empowerment: To invest with power, this may be legal power to do something or social power and belief to do something.

Emancipation: This means freedom, in geography people often refer to the emancipation of females, which means that they have the freedom to do whatever they want, including getting an education and a job.

Education - Afghanistan

Universal primary education and the promotion of gender equality are Millennium Development Goals two and three. It is hoped that these goals are both achieved by 2015. Although there is now little difference between the level of female education in the Americas, Europe and Oceania. In parts of South Asia, the Middle East and Central Africa, women still receive significantly poorer education than men. This continued bias in male education means that 75% of the world's illiterate population are females (UNIFEM). The denial of female education can be for a number of reasons but may include:

• Economic: Females are needed to work at home to allow parents to work, or families only has enough to educate one child and will educate males first.
• Social/Cultural: A belief that the role of females is to look after children and take care of the home and therefore does not need an education.
• Religious/Political: The Taliban although stating that they believed in the Islamic belief of education for males and females actually banned females from working, therefore eliminating female teachers and girls ability to get an education.

In Afghanistan during the rule of the Taliban, female education was almost non-existent (some female education continued clandestinely (in secret), but anyone caught would be severely punished). Female education effectively ended when females were banned from working. Because girls could not be educated by male teachers, they had no one to teach them. Even though the Taliban has been overthrown and they have in theory removed their opposition to female education, girls have been attacked on the way to schools and their schools have been burnt down (see articles below).

Missing out on education can cause numerous problems for females and remove much of their independence. Without an education females will find it hard to work, earn money and be self-sufficient. They will have little knowledge about family planning and health issues usually leading to higher fertility rates and poorer health. They can effectively become stuck in a cycle when they are unable to improve their education and life or that of their daughters.

Summary Table About Importance of Female Education

Why is Female Education Important?

What Problems can a lack of Education Cause?

• Emancipation - gives females…