Education and Women’s Rights: A Future Begins from a School Desk

By Marsali Hajar

Every time I hear about a young girl being denied school, I feel something inside me break. Education is not just books and exams; it is a window to the world, a dream that allows us to see life more broadly. Yet, thousands of girls in our region remain outside school walls. How can a society progress when half of it is trapped in ignorance?

Education is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right guaranteed by international law and national constitutions. Yet, the reality is very different: thousands of girls are deprived of this right due to social, economic, and cultural factors.

The Reality as I See It

In my village and city, I have seen contrasting images: girls who go to university and become doctors and engineers, and others whose dreams ended in elementary school because their families chose early marriage or because schools were far and unsafe. These are not isolated stories; this is a recurring reality across the Middle East and North Africa.

UNESCO statistics indicate that over 60 million girls worldwide are denied education, with more than a third in Arab and African countries. In Algeria, despite significant improvements in girls’ enrollment rates, some rural areas still have high dropout rates, especially at the middle and secondary education levels.

Traditions are sometimes stronger than the law, and poverty harsher than any dream. Some families consider educating a girl “a luxury,” while educating a boy is “a duty.” This mentality makes the girl the last to be considered in planning for the future and the first to be sacrificed when the family faces financial pressures.

What Do We Lose When a Girl Is Denied Education?

Depriving a girl of education is not just an individual loss, but a collective one:

1. Individually: Loss of economic independence, increased exposure to violence and discrimination, decreased self-confidence, and diminished ability to express herself.

2. For the family: An uneducated mother cannot help her children with their studies, and the cycle of poverty is more likely to continue across generations.

3. For society: Losing half of its human potential, economic decline, slow development, and continued male dominance in politics.

World Bank reports show that countries investing in women’s education achieve up to a 20% increase in GDP within a single generation. Education is not only a matter of justice; it is an intelligent economic choice.

Stories That Inspire Me

I recall Malala Yousafzai, who was shot simply for defending girls’ right to education, yet she became a global symbol. In Algeria, I have seen women overcome harsh circumstances, studying by candlelight or in simple homes during the Black Decade, and today they are judges, doctors, and lawyers.

Associations in southern Algeria open classrooms in tents or homes to ensure girls do not drop out. These examples prove that education can change destinies, no matter how difficult the path.

Barriers to Girls’ Education

• Economic: Costs of schooling (transportation, books, uniforms) burden poor families; sometimes girls are expected to work at home instead.

• Social and Cultural: Early marriage is considered a “solution” by many families; patriarchal mindsets view the girl’s place as the home.

• Security and Political: Wars and conflicts close schools and expose girls to risks simply by attending school.

Regional Comparisons

• Tunisia: Girls’ enrollment in basic education exceeds 95%.

• Morocco: Many rural areas still face high dropout rates.

• Egypt: The greatest challenges are in poor and rural regions.

• Algeria: Despite high primary enrollment rates (>98%), dropout increases in middle and secondary education, especially in remote areas.

These comparisons show that the challenge is shared but manifests differently across countries.

Solutions from My Perspective

• Provide safe and nearby schools, and prevent early marriage.

• Launch awareness campaigns and support poor families to educate their daughters.

• Media should challenge stereotypes and highlight successful women as role models.

• Youth can write, speak, and advocate for every girl’s right to education—change begins with our voices.

Implications for the Future

Imagine if every girl had access to education:

• Women in parliament, ministerial councils, and decision-making positions.

• A stronger economy as women enter the workforce efficiently.

• A fairer society, as educated mothers raise children who respect laws and rights.

• A cultural shift where women move from being a “topic of discussion” to “decision-makers.”

Conclusion

Our future begins at a school desk where a young girl sits, carrying her bag and smiling. Women’s education is not a luxury; it is life. A society that leaves its daughters uneducated chooses to live in darkness, while a society that opens schools for them builds a path toward justice, freedom, and progress.

Marsali Hajar – a young writer from Algeria, passionate about women’s rights and social justice, believing in the power of words to effect change.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely the author’s and do not represent the views of Nisaba Media.