THE ISSUE

In many under-resourced countries, the root of poverty among girls and young women lies in the poverty of their parents. Families often have no choice but to prioritise how they distribute their scarce resources. When it comes to educating their children, sons are often favoured—driven by the hope that investing in boys will pay off in the future, as they are more likely to support their parents later in life. This preference also serves as a form of retirement plan, since in many cultures daughters are expected to leave their family upon marriage. This prioritisation is further reinforced by traditional gender roles that view educating girls as a waste of money—since girls are expected to fetch water, work in the fields, do household chores, and marry young. As a result, girls’ education is simply not valued.

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However, poverty, largely driven by gender-based discrimination, can be overcome as experiences from around the world show. Strengthening the agency and empowerment of girls and women is a good start for poverty alleviation.

The first step toward empowerment is access to education and vocational training. While most public primary schools in Asia and Africa do not charge tuition fees, parents still must cover costs for school uniforms, books, and sometimes even financial contributions to underpaid teachers. These expenses alone are often unaffordable.

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In many rural areas, there are no schools nearby, or there is a lack of qualified teachers. Public transport is often unavailable, and where it does exist, girls and women face the threat of sexual harassment and assault during their commute. To protect them, many parents choose to keep their daughters at home. Even when girls do reach school, the lack of proper sanitation becomes another barrier. Whether in cities or villages, "real" toilets with running water are rare—and even less accessible for girls. When they begin menstruating, hygiene becomes a critical issue.

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Sexual harassment and the threat of violence are also big issues faced by girls and women. Puberty brings additional risks, such as unintended pregnancies, which are a serious concern in many parts of Asia and Africa. The lack of sex education, reproductive health services, and family planning further worsens the situation. At home and at school, sex remains a taboo topic.

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This combination—limited education and a lack of sexual autonomy—often leads to child marriage, which results in a high number of teenage pregnancies. In under-resourced countries, inadequate medical care makes childbirth particularly dangerous. Deliveries usually take place at home, where complications like severe bleeding or infections frequently turn fatal. The maternal mortality rate remains alarmingly high.

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If they survive childbirth, many girls become mothers while still children themselves—starting the cycle all over again. They care for the household, support elderly relatives, and carry out nearly 60% of agricultural labour in Asia and Africa. Yet women own only around 13% of agricultural land. Despite their contributions, they are not protected by labour rights or social safety nets. This leads to low wages, poor health, limited access to public services, and almost no chance of upward mobility. Returning to school becomes nearly impossible when a family depends on them.

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Job opportunities for women are scarce. At various turning points, families decide—often for their daughters—that education must end. In some households, sons are simply prioritised; in others, the barriers to education are too great. As a result, more than half of all poor rural women lack basic reading and writing skills. This lack of education further limits their autonomy, choices, and overall well-being.

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Gender inequality in many under-resourced countries in Asia and Africa is deeply rooted in poverty. This imbalance is even evident in food distribution. It is estimated that around 60% of all chronically hungry people worldwide are women. This illustrates how deeply structural the disadvantages are.

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Of course, our efforts alone can only go so far—but we believe that even a small drop can create ripples. We are driven by the knowledge that investing in girls’ and women’s empowerment can break the vicious cycle of poverty in just one generation. It brings long-term social and economic benefits not only for individuals, but for communities and societies as a whole. Educating girls is the most effective lever for progress across nearly all development goals—from reducing mortality to spurring economic growth and fostering democracy and justice.

 

Studies show that educated girls and women:

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1. increase their earning potential,
   (just one extra year of schooling after age 10 can raise a woman’s future income by around 25%.)

2. contribute significantly to economic growth,

3. reinvest up to 90% of their income into their families,
   (compared to just 30–40% by men)

4. raise healthier and better-educated children,
   (educated women are more likely to invest in their children’s nutrition, healthcare, and education.)

5. have smaller, more sustainable families,
   (each additional year of a mother’s education adds an average of 0.32 years to a child’s life.)

6. are less likely to marry early,

7. are less likely to have children while still adolescents,

8. can boost their agricultural yields by up to 40%, helping combat global hunger, and much more.

 

References:

 

1. https://www.globalpartnership.org/blog/why-educating-girls-makes-economic-sense

2. https://www.usaid.gov/letgirlslearn

3. http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/commission-on-the-status-of-women-2012/facts-and-figures

4. https://www.worldhunger.org/women-and-hunger-facts/

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