Introduction to Gender and Education

Education plays a key role in the empowerment of girls and women, and the attainment of gender equality in households, communities and wider society. Even before the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights made it official, education has long been recognised as an essential prerequisite to enable people to realise their true potential. Education in itself is a human right, but it also serves as a gateway that allows individuals to access and enjoy other human rights. Education broadens the s perspectives of a girl about the roles that she can play; provides a key space (often the only space) for meeting peers, mentors and role models; and opens new spaces for an empowered girl to act in, reach out to and influence others. Unique to education is the fact that once you have gained it, it cannot be taken away (Moll and Renault, this issue, 33).