" Why we should educate girls "

" Why we should educate girls "

= Hnin Thet =

Across the globe, the glass ceiling for women appears to exist in every society. If not, there would not have been the phrases like ‘women’s rights’ and ‘gender equality.’

Compared to their counterparts in many fellow Asian countries, Myanmar women generally have a greater degree of equality with men. But then, a glance at the legislature and government departments will make it clear that Myanmar women just represent a small presence in leadership and decision making positions.

Like the majority of world’s countries, a deeply entrenched belief in male sex superiority persisted in Myanmar for centuries and both men and women thought it was normal. The time-honored maxim for housewives “Treat son as the master, and treat husband as the Lord” reflects the traditional role of Myanmar women, their innate tendency to rely on men and their acceptance of the back seat.

However, the belief in male sex superiority is started to be shaken in 2000 s when the rising living expenses forced many women from their homes to the workplace to become earners themselves, which has gradually reduce the women’s reliance on men. This is perhaps the most significant benefit the ever-increasing commodity prices have brought for the sake of women.

Nowadays, we have seen a number of women breaking out of the age-old glass ceiling — some standing up and speaking out for their rights, some managing viable businesses and some showing a heart of gold to the afflicted and vulnerable. They are taking the lead role and some are even outperforming their male counterparts, but then, to the dismay of womanhood, there are only a handful of such women.

While the educated women of high and middle social classes see considerable opportunities, those from poor backgrounds, particularly of urban population, see the different things as chances are scarce for them.

Most of the girls from poverty-stricken families with poor educational background are employed in manufacturing business like garment and shoe-making factories. But longer working hours do not mean higher wages there. The pay is just enough for them to make ends meet, given the soaring living expenses.

In the past, there was a traditional belief in rural areas that girls need not be educated and basic numeracy skill is just enough for them. Although this belief has diminished with the passage of time, its legacy still drags on.

In fact, educating a man is educating a person and educating a woman means educating the whole family. While the men are generally considered the breadwinner of a family, women can help better their families than men do. Women indeed are the gatekeeper of their families’ health.

Educating girls would do a lot as studies show girls who have completed primary school at the lowest could help themselves much better than in pregnancy, family planning and even prevention against sexually transmitted diseases than those who have never gone to school.

Since women and girls constitute more than half of the national population in Myanmar, how much they are educated or their educational levels will decide the future of the country. And no doubt, protecting their rights means guaranteeing human rights.

Though it is not possible to increase the proportion of women in the legislature and political leadership immediately overnight, their rights can be best protected with the help of women’s rights organizations and CSOs for the time being.

Whether they have the power like “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world” or are considered as the weaker sex, one thing is for sure that investing in brining education to girls would make better the younger generations under their caring hands.

#Themyawadydaily