Ending inequality is possible but it must be deliberate. Collectively, we must build trust which in turn can create social coercion, cooperation and joint problem-solving. And education, of girls and boys, makes this easier to achieve.
I am the fourth child and third daughter in a family of five children. My education was not a priority. But my mother whose secondary school education ended when she married my father made it her priority. My mother knows the value of education because she never had one. She took it upon herself to ensure that her children, boys and girls, got quality education despite low resources.
To my mother, education would give me the opportunity to shape my life. Then, I could go ahead and shape the society. Education would give me the key to lock the door of poverty and unlock a wealth of opportunities. She was right.
Education also opened my voice, and made it heard across the world, against issues around inequality. Without education, I may likely have been repeating a cycle: married off and maybe on the fourth child. No choice. No voice. Without a voice, I would not be writing this piece on inequality.
Ending inequality is possible. From my recent trip to Sweden for the Swedish Visitor’s Programme, I understood that gender equality is one of the cornerstones of modern Swedish society. The overarching principle in Swedish gender policies is that everyone, regardless of gender, has the right to work and support themselves. Everyone has a right to balance career and family. Everyone can live without the fear of abuse. This ensures that women and men enjoy the same opportunities, rights and obligations in all areas of life. Ironically, life itself is not fair. Some are born into wealth. Others are born into poverty. However, the Nigerian society, backed by the certain traditions and thought patterns, has magnified this divide. This has undesirable consequences for a modern and interconnected society like ours.
Ironically, life itself is not fair. Some are born into wealth. Others are born into poverty. However, the Nigerian society, backed by the certain traditions and thought patterns, has magnified this divide. This has undesirable consequences for a modern and interconnected society like ours.
Women and girls continue to be treated differently. When you are married, you are a good woman. When you have children, you are a better woman. When you have sons, you are the best woman. There are also women considered to be troublemakers. Those who do not fall within these structures. Those who question the structures. Those who open their mouths to challenge tradition.
Social inequality occurs when resources are distributed unevenly; typically through norms of allocation, that engender specific patterns along lines of socially defined categories of persons. From young women’s access to reproductive health services, to the disproportionate impact of climate change and women owning businesses, social inequality expresses itself through several dimensions.
In a society as diverse as Nigeria, where social inequality favours men more than women and certain parts of the country than others, inequality can be addressed through women’s participation. This starts with education. Give a girl a pen to write her future. Send her to school, that is the first step. When girls are enrolled in school, they are given a golden opportunity to shape their future positively. They are better empowered to participate actively in family and governance. This singular action can reduce poverty and end social inequality. Let me tell you how.
According to the United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), providing girls with an education helps break the cycle of poverty. It is simple: educated women are less likely to marry early and against their will. They are less likely to die in childbirth; more likely to have healthy babies; and are more likely to send their children to school. When all children have access to a quality education rooted in human rights and gender equality, it creates a ripple effect of opportunity that influences generations to come. The UN agency also reaffirms that “Girls’ education is essential to the achievement of quality learning relevant to the 21st century, including girls’ transition to and performance in secondary school and beyond. Evidence shows that the return to a year of secondary education for girls correlates to a 25 percent increase in wages later in life.”
In Nigeria, this is not just about book knowledge. We raise girls differently. Most girls are raised to be obedient. Do not look up when adults are talking. Be respectful. For many girls, only the affirmative “yes” exists, “no” is not in their dictionary. One way to end inequality is educating girls properly. It is important for women to know that they have a voice, and they can use it. It is important to encourage young women to ask critical questions and voice their opinions on issues. Recently, many internet-based platforms are showing many young women ways to express their views and build trust among themselves.
It is important for women to know that they have a voice, and they can use it. It is important to encourage young women to ask critical questions and voice their opinions on issues. Recently, many internet-based platforms are showing many young women ways to express their views and build trust among themselves.
Social inequality is receiving deeper attention now, especially online where users of new media ‘share’ and ‘engage’ real-time. They discuss issues on inequality from personal experiences. Discussions can lead to social actions to address the issues. This avenue is encouraging more women to make their voices heard. They also connect with people who share similar views. Social inequality is related to poverty, youth unemployment, communal conflicts, climate change and HIV/AIDS. These disproportionately affect marginalised communities. Every day, these issues are thrown around with hashtags and retweets on social media, among people with access, leaving those without access behind. Yet, these problems continue to fuel social inequality especially among communities where educational background and financial status defines an individual. Communities like ours.
Ending inequality is possible but it must be deliberate. Collectively, we must build trust which in turn can create social coercion, cooperation and joint problem-solving. And education, of girls and boys, makes this easier to achieve.
Esther Agbarakwe is very passionate about leveraging new media to connect, inform and empower young Africans on climate change and other development issues. She is the founder of SocialGood Nigeria, advisor to +SocialGood at the United National Foundations, Washington DC and also advisor to the African Youth Initiative on Climate change (AYICC). She shares her thoughts on twitter as @estherclimate.
This article is part of the #EvenItUp Campaign by BudgIT with collaboration from OXFAM, Nigeria. Originally posted on Premium Times here
