UNESCO: Over 154 students affected amid COVID-19, girls worst hit

NEW DELHI: Over 154 crore students across the world are severely impacted due to the COVID-19 forced school closures and girls will be the worst hit which will further entrench gender inequality in education, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said.

This may “lead to increased risk of sexual exploitation, early pregnancy and early and forced marriage.”

UNESCO, the education arm of the United Nations (UN) has warned that the school closures will lead to “an increase in drop-out rates which will have a disproportionate effect on adolescent girls which may further increase gender gaps in education.”

Of the 154 crore children and youth enrolled in school or university, 74.3 crore are girls. “Over 11 crore of these girls are living in the world's least developed countries where getting an education is already a struggle,” said Stefania Giannini, UNESCO’s assistant director-general for education.

UNESCO says that the school closures would be devastating for girls living in refugee camps or who are internally displaced, as they are already at a disadvantage. “Refugee girls at secondary level are only half as likely to enrol as their male peers,” said Giannini.

Considering the limited social protection measures in the global south, “economic hardships caused by the crisis will have spill-over effects as families consider the financial and opportunity costs of educating their daughters.”

Lessons from the past

UNESCO has advised policy makers and governments to look at the past experiences like the Ebola epidemic in Africa and how challenges faced by the girls as well as poverty levels rose as education was interrupted.

The UNESCO has called on the governments to protect the girls’ education through “six gender-responsive, evidence-based and context-specific actions.”

UNESCO recommends working closely with teachers and communities for distance learning programmes for girls. It has asked them to adopt appropriate distance learning practices like technology or using radio and television broadcasts or posting reading and writing materials to them.

Another advice is to bridge the gender digital divide where possible through training the girls on digital skills. UNESCO also asks the governments to safeguard vital services like psychosocial support and food distribution and work across sectors.

It also advises engaging young people, particularly girls in the development of strategies and policies around school closures and distance learning based on their experiences and needs.

Lastly, UNESCO requests the governments to ensure that the girls return to school. This includes pregnant girls and young mothers who often face stigma and discrimination that prevent them from accessing education. UNESCO suggests automatic promotion, catch-up courses and accelerated learning as may be necessary for girls who return to school.

Also read:

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• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: Latest Updates

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